The recent amendments to the Child Labour Act passed by the Cabinet last month allow for children below the age of 14 to work in non-hazardous industries or ‘family businesses’, so long as this does not affect their education. Response to the amendment has been mixed, with some activists calling for a total ban on child labour, while others celebrate the amendment as at the very least, a step in the right direction. The real challenge however, lies in the law’s interpretation, as ‘hazardous’ and ‘family enterprises’ could become nebulous categories—easily distorted and loosely applied. The debate over the amendment also reflects what has become a major hurdle for policy-makers: how to define and legislate childhood itself.
Pooja’s rescue and return to Odisha: Gram Utthan Case Study
Radhika M. Chakraborty on May 29th, 2015
Pooja* was just seventeen years old, and had been employed as a domestic worker in a household in Kolkata from a very young age. Pooja’s father was a migrant labourer who had been working in Kolkata for many years. However due to a severe illness, he returned to Odisha, leaved his daughter in Kolkata to work. Four of her family members in Odisha depend on Pooja’s small income.
‘Invisible Dangers’: Occupational health issues faced by migrant workers in Ghaziabad
Radhika M. Chakraborty on May 28th, 2015
Sahbhagi Shiksha Kendra (SSK)’s report on occupational health issues faced by migrant workers in Ghaziabad systematically catalogues the daily health risks faced by five major occupational groups of migrants in the informal sector. Reviewing the awareness of migrant workers about their rights and entitlements, and highlighting key health concerns, the report presents policy recommendations and stresses the pressing need for affordable and accessible healthcare.
Lack of accountability and lost lives: PARDA Case Study
Radhika M. Chakraborty on May 25th, 2015
Asha* (18) left her village in Odisha to work at a brick kiln in Telengana in 2014. She secured this work through an agent, and she and her father Vishal* had been working at the same destination since December 2014. In between, Vishal returned to his village to obtaining a BPL card, while his daughter Asha continued to work in the absence of her father. Later, it was learnt that she fell off a tractor and lost her life on the 29th of March 2015.
Gram-Utthan celebrates International Labour Day
Radhika M. Chakraborty on May 19th, 2015
Labour Day Celebrations were jointly organised by SSSK, Gram-Utthan and the Kanika Nirman Sramik Sangha at Charapada.
PARDA celebrates International Labour Day
Radhika M. Chakraborty on May 18th, 2015
May Day was observed by PARDA in collaboration with legal service authorities of the government, at Nuapada on 1st May. The celebration was an occasion to highlight key issues faced by migrants, such as the disconnect between government schemes and beneficiaries, the scope of labour laws, and how legal grievances can best be addressed.
Connecting migrant families to government entitlements: Mumbai Mobile Creches
Radhika M. Chakraborty on May 14th, 2015
Mumbai Mobile Creches runs comprehensive day care centres for children of migrant workers living on construction sites, taking care of their health, education and nutrition. Below is a case study of one of MMC’s interventions, and a documentation of the outcome of their efforts to connect this migrant family to government entitlements. Rohan’s story reflects the difficulties faced by families of migrant workers when faced with unexpected health crises, and how vital state schemes, if properly utilized, can be for such families.
Debadutta Club celebrates International Labour Day
Radhika M. Chakraborty on May 5th, 2015
The Sramika Sahayata and Suchana Kendra of Gaisilat celebrated International Labor Day in collaboration with Debadatta Club (DDC), Grindolmal, with the support of the Tata Trusts, Mumbai. More then 500 migrant workers participated in the celebrations.
PEPUS celebrates International Labour Day: A photo essay
Radhika M. Chakraborty on May 5th, 2015
Paryavaran Evam Prodyogiki Utthan Samiti (PEPUS) celebrated International Labour day on May 1st. Amongst issues discussed were how migrants can safeguard themselves from exploitation, the protection of female workers from harassment, and the status of female workers at construction sites.
Why India needs to invest in planning
Poornima Dore on April 27th, 2015
The recent outcry over the draft Mumbai Development Plan (DP) 2014-34 has left many wondering what really goes on in the run up to the creation of such plans. With the nature of urbanisation and the Indian scale of problems being fairly complex, urban planning and management is an important area requiring better focus. It is one thing for the Municipal Corporations to put out ads for consultants; it is another for them to find a critical mass of people who can actually carry out the mandate. We need to have bench-marked standards for planning and mapping in the country as well as teaching and training for urban planners, so that plans beset with mistakes do not pass off as acceptable. It is critical to put in place systems, processes and people empowered to deliver, if cities are to act as engines of growth – without sputtering as we turn on the ignition.
