Bonded labour: Six children rescued from two factories in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: The city police in a joint operation with BOSCO, a non-governmental organisation, and International Justice Mission rescued six minors, who were trafficked and working as bonded labourers in a decorative paper factory and a bag factory in KP Agrahara.

An FIR has been registered at the KP Agrahara police station against the owners of the two factories under IPC 370 (Trafficking of Persons), the Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act 1976, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 and the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act 1986. The KP Agrahara police are on the lookout for both the owners, who are absconding.

Based on credible information, the rescue was conducted on Monday by the local police in collaboration with BOSCO, who had provided them  information regarding trafficked children being employed in these factories. The child line and SJPU staff from BOSCO accompanied the police during the rescue.

The children were reportedly forced to work from 9 am till 9 pm everyday and they lived within the factory premises. During festival seasons they were forced to work till 2 am.

These children were provided with food, but they had to sacrifice their education and normal childhood. All the children were trafficked from two villages in Bihar and brought to the city by the owners at different times with the help of agents, said the officials.

“We were staying inside the factory and could not go out alone. The owner used to take us out sometimes. I have not been able to visit my parents after coming here two years ago. My father had injured his leg in an accident and hence cannot work. My family needs money and the owner had promised me a lot of money when he had brought me here. I was told the work will be easy, but it is hard work. After work we sleep in the factory itself with several other adults and children in one room,” said one of the rescued boys.

The children and the adult workers used to have food and sleep in a congested room, which was also their work area, where all the materials were stocked. All the children have now been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee.

“The two children working in the bag factory received wages of Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,600 a month. Among the four children working in the decorative paper factory, the oldest, aged 16, received Rs 4,000 a month, while the other three received Rs 3,000. This money was directly transferred to their parents and the children were not given any part of their wages,” said a member of IJM.

Fr. Mathew Thomas, Executive Director of BOSCO said, “The owners held these children in a godown like environment and exploited them for over 12 hours a day without even paying them the minimum wage. A case has been registered under IPC 370 (Trafficking of Persons) and we hope this will serve as deterrence for other owner’s employing children in a similar situation”.