India stiffens stance on child labour in garment industry amidst rising vulnerabilties

In the wake of pandemic, major importing countries, particularly the US are taking tough stand on the issue of child labour, hence Indian textile industry has beefed up efforts to eradicate employment of child labour so as to keep their exports unharmed in the world markets.

What standards of child labour resonate well with India’s garment industry is still a puzzle for policy makers, but in present times schoolchildren are running the risk of reverting to child labour as COVID might drag us into regressive times.

There is no denial that in a country like ours where scale of unemployment and poverty is remarkably high, child labour runs rampant in garment industry, tucked away in small, owner-operated enterprises or home setup.

Perceiving the looming danger and sensitivity of chief importing countries, Indian textile industry has stepped up efforts to eradicate employment of child labour so as to keep their exports intact in the world markets.

According to Sanjay Kumar, executive director cum secretary, Carpet Export Promotion Council, “they have made registration of all carpet looms and adopting code of conduct for eradication of child labour.”

The Bureau of International Labour Force of United States Department of Labour (US DoL) restricts imports of goods appearing in the list of goods on the source countries produced by child labour or forced labour violating International Labour Standards.

Inaugurating the seminar on the issue Manojkumar Patodia, chairman, TEXPROCIL highlighted the need for eradicating child labour employment , the actions being taken by US DoL, the magnitude of sensitivity and the need for not only de-listing cotton seeds, cotton, thread / yarn from the list, but also the need for social accountability and the need for taking care of children.

SIMA has established a sustainability cell that helps textile mills for auditing and certificate of employment code, apart from assisting the mills in compliance. SIMA is also having continuous dialogues with various stakeholders and for eradication of child labour.

It is incumbent on various govts and authorities to save the children across the world from falling through the cracks. Legitimizing child labour or any sign that appears to condone it in any form is dangerous and disturbing on any pretext of regrettable necessity.

Cover image by NLtimes