CHENNAI: Chennai, the most urbanised and literate centre in Tamil Nadu, also has the highest number of working children. But experienced activists say there is no dichotomy in this.
According to an analysis of the 2011 Census by Child Rights and You (CRY), there has been a 53 per cent increase in child labour in urban areas. “Seasonal migration for employment, trafficking of minors and added requirement of cheap labour in the urban areas can be attributed to the rise in number,” said Komal Ganotra from CRY.
“This is evident not only Chennai, but also in cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru which are also sought-after regions for job opportunities. There is a huge influx from the impoverished rural areas of eastern India to these cities where they come here and settle down with families. They are in dire need of money, due to which even their children are put to work,” said Mathew Joji, who heads International Justice Mission (IJM).
Job Zachariah, chief of UNICEF’s Tamil Nadu office, said that with increasing urbanisation, the demands for labour, especially cheap labour, has gone up. “In allied industries like brick kilns and building construction, cheap labour is needed. Children fit these roles. This is an unfortunate side-effect of urbanisation,” he said.
Official sources say that at least 10 migrants land in Chennai every day in search of work, many bringing their children with them. The Child labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, (CLPR Act) has defined six hours of work per day for children, with a break after three hours. However, activists say that this law is also routinely violated.
“Go to hotels or households or other industries, this law doesn’t apply there. Children end up working for hours without a break,” said Andrew Sesuraj, State convenor of Tamil Nadu Child Rights Observatory. He added that most children end up developing harmful habits.
“Almost every day, we come across young children addicted to alcohol, marijuana and other substances including adhesives and dendrite... We need strict and equal participation from society as well, as it too is responsible for child labour,” said Komal.
Census stats
Chennai has 26,527 main and marginal workers between the ages of five and 14. This is followed by Thiruvallur (18,545), Villupuram (17,629) and Kancheepuram (17,589)