The growing demand for domestic helps in Delhi and NCR has provided a boost to the business of placement agencies, which earn Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 for each help they "procure", 50% of which are child labourers below the age of 14 years.
According to the police, the agents of Delhi-based placement agencies bring minors from comparatively poor states such as West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam and sell them to agencies for Rs 10,000.
"The placement agency generally sell minors on a contract basis. The employer pays a one-time ‘security deposit’ of Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 for nine months, after which he has to pay R1500-R 2000 per month to the agency," said member of an NGO, dealing with trafficking.
According to Bachpan Bachao Andolan, an NGO working for child welfare, a number of such unscrupulous agencies, operating out of Chirag Dilli, Kotla Mubarakpur and Tughlaqabad cater to south Delhi colonies. "We have rescued a number of child workers from these areas," said Rakesh Sengar of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan. For north Delhi, helps are supplied by agencies located in Shakurpur.
Social workers at Shakti Vahini, an NGO, which also runs a child helpline, said they have rescued 325 children from Delhi in the past one year and 50% of them were working as domestic helps. "Earlier, prostitution was the main reason behind trafficking of children. Now, it is the rising demand for domestic help. Out of 325 children we rescued, 162 were working as domestic helps," said Nishi Kant, executive director, Shakti Vahini. In some cases, the placement agency aids the child to run away so that he/she could be sold again.
{{/usCountry}}Social workers at Shakti Vahini, an NGO, which also runs a child helpline, said they have rescued 325 children from Delhi in the past one year and 50% of them were working as domestic helps. "Earlier, prostitution was the main reason behind trafficking of children. Now, it is the rising demand for domestic help. Out of 325 children we rescued, 162 were working as domestic helps," said Nishi Kant, executive director, Shakti Vahini. In some cases, the placement agency aids the child to run away so that he/she could be sold again.
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Stay updated with all top Cities including, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and more across India. Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News along with Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Election Result 2025 Live, New Delhi Election Result Live, Kalkaji Election Result Live at Hindustan Times.