My first reaction to this news was ‘ is there a typo in that number?’ Child Trafficking is a huge problem all over India, and more so in the North Eastern states. Shillong based ‘Impulse NGO Network’ estimates around 70,000 Nepalese and Bangladeshi child workers work in bonded labour in the coal mines of Jaintia Hills district in Meghalaya.
According to the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution the tribal and native communities residing in Meghalaya have exclusive rights over their land which includes the right to operate mines on these lands. This situation means that thousands of privately owned mines are operating in the Jaintia Hills and although this is a legal use of the land, child labour and bondage labour is prevalent.
Trucks that cross the border to Bangladesh with cargo, return with children who are lured by false promises, purchased by ‘middle men’ or abducted from their homes.
According to ‘Impulse’ estimates the children are bought for anywhere between 50 to 75 US dollars. Then they are forced to work for free in the horrendous working conditions of the coal mines. Their work is considered repayment of the debt they owe, which is nothing more than the price at which they were bought. The mines are infamously known as the ‘rat mines’ of Meghalaya after the narrow and crude holes dug into the hills where the children risk their lives daily. There is lack of safe drinking water, proper sewage system and no medical facilities available.
Despite government promises of strict action to prevent child labour, the NGO reports that only 2 labour inspectors have been assigned to the region. This situation is not confined only to Meghalaya. It reflects conditions in neighbouring Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland too.
Can we have some sort of system to take action against individuals and companies that employ children in domestic work, eateries, mining and similar establishments where child labour is prohibited? When will we wake up to the injustice meted out to these innocent children?
Shame on us.
This is actually a “tribute” to our “8% growth” rate.
India needs a revolution of Evo Morales or Hugo Chavez style.
Read:
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/columnists/19-mahir-ali-land-of-hope-and-possibly-glory-710-hh-06
Cheers and take care.
Thanks for the informative link Indian Pundit. Bolivia is one of the few Latin American countries making progress on the road to development.
After the failure of the ‘Copenhagen summit’, Bolivia is hosting an international summit on climate change next month and over 70 governments have indicated their participation.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2010/mar/19/bolivia-conference-on-climate-change
We Indians need more ‘action’ to support our policies.
Take care,
Adarsh.
Hello Adarsh
Thanks for the reply and the link.
Actually i know about that.
Read this blog:
http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/
“We Indians need more ‘action’ to support our policies. ”
Very true!
Take care and visit my blog if u can.
70,000/- child labours in jaintia hills coal mind is not true! i have been reporting on child labour in coal minds in jaintia hills and garo hills….visited every rat holes look for every children….there are no doubt child labours in the mind but in the entire meghalaya the number will not cross 500! i dont know what an NGOs like Impulse is trying to prove by adding the sensational numbers like that?!
Hi Alva,
As I stated in the post, I really did think it was a typo. Prior to posting, I double-checked the NGO Impulse’s website and found the same number. Most of the news agencies quote the number from Impulse Asia, and until the NGO posts the detailed report, it would be difficult to verify the numbers. You seem to be having first-hand experience reporting on the issue. Would be helpful if you could please share some of your findings.
Hello Alva,
I’m french and the child workers in Jaintia Hills are a well-known fact in NGOs.
Many organizations as the Human Rights Now (HRN), based in Tokyo, or different nepalese human rights groups, quote the same number than Impulse Network .
Why do you think its not true ? Are you working for an NGO in Meghalaya ? Please, explane us your point of view.
Mitzou