16 child labourers rescued from west Delhi

The rescue came yesterday during an operation launched in Rohini area by Delhi Government's Task Force on Elimination of Child Labour which consists of officials from Police, Labour Department and child rights NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA).

Sixteen child labourers have been rescued by authorities from a bakery unit in west Delhi.

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The rescue came yesterday during an operation launched in Rohini area by Delhi Government's Task Force on Elimination of Child Labour which consists of officials from Police, Labour Department and child rights NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA).

The children, in the age group of 9-14 years and mostly belonging to Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, used to work
in temperatures as high as 105 degrees which are important to increase the activity of yeast for formation of bread, the NGO said in a press statement here.

At the time of rescue, half of the children were found to be working without gloves and masks. They used to work for
more than 14 hours a day, it said.

Deepak (name changed), said, "Because of the dense smoke in the factory, my eyes became sore. When things started
getting worse, I was told to help in packing. I had to sit on the ground for more than eight hours at a stretch to earn Rs
20 a week".

Chairperson of BBA R S Chaurasia said, "There were around 70 children working in this factory but most of them escaped as the information about the raid spread.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Kanjhawala Ajay Kumar said, "We have sealed the factory and booked the employer under Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and other legal provisions. All the rescued children will receive a
rehabilitation sum."