Over 8,000 kids working in garment factories: Report

Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, June 19

Known as the country's garment hub, the national Capital thrives on child workforce, reveals a new report that states that more than 8,000 children are working in garment factories across the city. 

Releasing the report, Delhi Minister for Women and Child Development Sandeep Kumar today announced that a committee would be constituted to help the children engaged in different industries.

The report, titled "The Hidden Workforce" by NGO Save the Children pointed out that with 70 per cent of them being girls, the highest number of children (1,922) is estimated to be engaged in garment-related activities in Okhla of South-East District whereas the lowest figure (241) stands for Tughlaqabad ward. 

The report found out that the majority of children seemed to be engaged in household work--with 87 per cent working in home settings with their family to supplement household income and only 13 per cent were found to be working in "addas", household-based units. 

According to the report, 64 per cent of children have lived in Delhi since birth and their families had earlier migrated to the city from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Around 36 per cent children are reported to have migrated from these four states.

"The report was prepared after researching 14 garment industry hotspots across five districts of Delhi (out of the total 11 districts). It was a very difficult process as employers were reluctant to cooperate in the study," said Save the Children CEO Thomas Chandy.