The title is bound to irritate the hell out of every social worker and some politicians and if it doesn't rile you then you are the ones benefiting from child labour! Can any of us deny having seen such a scene on the road (as in the picture)?
I'm just back from a vacation to India and was astonished to see how much this crime has infiltrated and how almost everyone turns a blind eye to it! People have just accepted it as they accept their names at birth. Most times they don't even notice it! In fact the smooth running of the society depends on child labour! If you don't agree with me then for once just open your eyes and look around. Here's a small gist of my observations when I casually looked around outside my own house...
A cup of tea early in the morning is a must for most of us but HOW do we get that milk? Reading the newspaper alongwith the tea wow the most relaxing moments of the day! How did that newspaper reach your house? Did you bother to look out or are you just happy that you got your newspaper? Thanks to the two little boys who delivered the milk and the newspaper. Is your house neat and tidy and is the street in front of your house neat are you cooperating with the Swach Bharath drive? Well excellent good job! Lets thank the little garbage cleaners who picked up the rubbish from your house and the street side cans! So as you can see Child Labour is actually a boon to the society it helps all the daily processes run smoothly right? Yes that's absolutely right!
Out of concern and frustration I asked people around me how do they allow this to go on. Their answers varied from "How can we help?" or "You should ignore it" or "We have tried but no one listens." or "Kya pharak padta hai yaar"...disinterested attitudes!
One fine morning I woke up early and stepped out to confront the situation on my own.
Phase 1: Milkman/boy -
Me: Hello! How old are you? Don't you go to school? Why are you working? Children shouldn't work do you know that?
Ramu: I'm 15 years and I can work. (He looked nothing more than 9). I distribute milk and go to school. I have 5 siblings and I need to work. Please don't delay me with all these questions.
Phase 2: Paperboy
Me: Hello do you know you shouldn't work? How old are you?
Rahim: I'm 16 so I can work. (Now this little boy was definitely not more than 10 -11). I go to college (liar liar). I get 1000 rupees for this which I use to pay school fees and tuition fees. I need to work please let me go. Pet ka sawal hai madam padna bhi hai acha job milna hai toh kya kare...
Phase 3: Garbage collector boy
Me: Hello! What's your name? How old are you? Why are your working? Don't you want to study?
Raju: I don't know all these. My mother told me to work that's all. If I don't work then I don't get anything to eat. I don't know how old I am. (Really sorry but this little kid was pushing a tricycle full of garbage and must be around 8 years). Everyone asks me how old I am I don't know madamji I only know I have to take all these packets to that garbage man and then he gives my mother money.
Phase 4: Neighbours baby sitter
Me: Hello do you know you shouldn't work? How old are you?
Sita: I'm 16 auntie. My father passed away and my mother said we should work to survive. (This little girl would be 12-13). I have no choice I had to stop school and I'm looking after two babies from 8am to 7pm (that's 11 hrs of tiring work). I also do some household work when the babies are sleeping. (that's no rest for 11 hours).
The Scary RESULTS after my casual enquiries
- My parents did not get milk or papers for the next few days. The suppliers were rude when we called them and asked me to mind my own business.
- The garbage collecting boys did not appear for a week in our colony.
- My neighbour came to fight and asked me to keep my NRI ideas to myself and let them live with baby sitters as they are the most difficult to find.
The Outcome
- We managed to stop these four crimes and discussed with the employers about it! Should I feel guilty that I cut off money to the families? Should I feel happy that the children are not working. Surely all four kids and their families were cursing me.
- My mother promised to help all four children with their education. But still the families were not happy as what they needed is money to survive.
- My dad asked me to look around and think on a larger scale how to help them better. I pinged my friends on whatsapp and set up donations for the four kids. (I do have some fast acting bade dilwale friends).
It's just a step but that's what we did. I'm not sure if the families are happy yet but they will be in the long run. Stopping a social crime starts with a small step. Let's take that step even if it has many repercussions!
I'm sure this will repeat and next year when I go I will meet another Ramu, Raju, Rahim and Sita. But until then I did my bit! Can you do your bit now? If you have no paper or milk for a few days its fine just go buy from the corner shop but don't turn a blind eye to who is delivering these! If you cant get an adult baby sitter then manage on your own DO NOT encourage Child Labour!
The friendly neighbourhood chaiwala's nephew delivering chai chai...or the maid's daughter helping her mother clean vessels...or the provision store owner's bhatija helping deliver supplies...Can we Say NO to them? Look around and you will find more...
Child Labour is a Crime! And we are supposed to be the Educated Gen...lets prove it!
Note: The observations and ideas are purely the authors and not intended to hurt any sentiments of the society! The author has worked with underpriviledged children for over two decades and is a certified international counselor who specializes in parent-child therapy.
(Pictures courtesy India Inc.)
