HYDERABAD: Hundreds of children from other states are still working under pathetic conditions at factories in Old City, and as domestic labour in upmarket locations, waiting to be rescued. They are made to work in inhuman conditions for 16 to 18 hours a day in bangle, leather, footwear making units, and paid a pittance of Rs 30 per day.
Once in, all doors are shuts down on them. Parents who come in search of their children are beaten up black and blue, leaving slim hope of rescue. It was reported earlier that children from many parts of Bihar are trafficked to the city.
The traffickers assure wages ranging from Rs 3000 to 5000 per month, but these promises are never fulfilled. The Hyderabad District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) recently received a call from a parent who complained that he was beaten up when he attempted to rescue his child. Later, the child was rescued with the help of police and united with the parents.
While the maze of Old City’s lanes puzzles officials who plan a crackdown on such factories, the sweatshop owners take due care to work under cover. If officials raid one such unit, the information is passed immediately to other factory owners and children are sneaked out.
“If locals pass on the information about the location of the factories, we can crackdown on such workshops. People can pass on the information to local police or call Hyderabad DCPU at 8520043943 or child helpline 1098. Their identity will be kept confidential,” said Imtiyaz Rahim, Hyderabad DCPU officer.
Help rescue them
Many children from other states working under inhuman conditions at factories in Old City, and apartments at upmarket locations.
People can inform local police, call 8520 043 943, or Child Helpline 1098, to pass information about child labours.
Parents of child labours are beaten up when they try to rescue their children