New Delhi: After Karol Bagh inferno, there can be a tragedy waiting to happen in the factories which are employing child labourers for the work. A recent rescue operation from a packaging unit in South East Delhi's Okhla area have revealed the life of minors working in the hazardous circumstances in different factories as there are fewer exit routes.
According to the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), they rescued five minor boys from a packaging unit where items for online shopping websites were packed and later, delivered. They further claimed that one of the children told them that he is a student of class 9 and working in the factory for three and a half month but not given a salary.
The owner had assured him to pay around Rs 7,500 but he did not get anything.
"He was beaten up badly by one man if he found any silly misconduct," said DCPCR official adding that the children were made to work for 10 hours.
Ironically, from a nearby factory, one board was found in which it was written that "No child labour".
Fire can lead to massacre
Roop Sudesh Vimal member DCPCR further stated that in several rescues including the Okhla case conducted by child rights body, they found that the children were working under hazardous circumstances.
"The factories had combustible materials like clothes and have no proper ventilation and exit routes. If fire took place it would have been tough to escape," said Vimal. The Commission can soon approach several agencies including the fire department. The DCPCR was helped by police and an NGO.