Global March Against Child Labour - From Exploitation to Education

Global March Against Child Labour: From Exploitation to Education

Global March Against Child Labour - From Exploitation to Education

Designers pledge for the better future of kids

20 March 2008, New Delhi: The Fashion Week in New Delhi for the first time has a strong focus on children's rights. The organisers had a 'pledge wall,' which says 'A pledge for a better future' at the venue where all the designers are writing their views and urging to stop child labour. This heightened attention on child labour in apparel industry is the result of concerted action and awareness campaigns including the rescue of 14 trafficked and bonded child labourers found working for GAP Inc. by Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement) since 2003.

For the first time in 2003 trafficked and bonded child labourers were rescued from zari (embroidery) sweatshops by BBA in New Delhi. Seven boys below 14 years of age were rescued during this raid. This raid was an eye-opener – it was found that child labour was used in making designer garments and high-street fashion apparels.

Suhail (name changed) was beaten at the slightest pretext during his work at the zari unit in Laxmi Nagar. He was never been paid a single rupee for his work. He was given little to eat and was allowed no break at work or freedom to move. All of 12 years, Suhail recounted his light to the activists of BBA who carried out a raid and rescue operation in Khurejji, Geeta Colony in East Delhi and released 78 children. Suhail knew the zari work that he was doing is very expensive saris and would cost over some thousands rupees.

Since then, BBA has rescued over 3000 trafficked and bonded child labourers from New Delhi under Bonded Labour, Child Labour and other applicable laws. To provide maximum benefit to the children, BBA made sure that they all were given a Release Certificate under the Bonded Labour Law, which entitles each child with 20,000 Rs and benefits under various government schemes.

Extending the twin strategy of promotion of ethical trading initiatives, corporate social responsibility including compliance with minimum labour standards and international conventions (ILO Convention 182 and 138), BBA focused on sensitising the designers, fashion houses and corporations. Appeals and many letters were written to designers, fashion houses and corporations to publicly denounce the practice of child trafficking for forced labour and child labour, and bring out policies for ethical trade and elimination of child labour. Few of the large designer houses like House of Valaya and coroporatiosn like Swarovski came out in support and pledged to monitor their supply chains.

After five years and massive consumer attention on trafficked and bonded child labour in apparel industry due to the media expose of slave children working for GAPKids, this social awareness drive during the latest Fashion Week is a validation of BBA's multi-pronged strategy of social action and leadership in bringing a change in societal perception to the issue of child labour and child rights.

"Our youth are the future; please do not use child labour. It is a sin beyond that ruins the innocence," writes Ashish Soni, who is going to present his show along with designer Ananmika Khanna at the grand finale.

Deepika Govind shares her nobel views, "Everytime I see a child on the street. I think of mine. I pray that besides banning child labour. We help them; let them live life with dignity."

BBA family wants to thank each and every individual who signed the pledge and wanted to support child education by make apparels free of child labour.

In News

Designers pledge for the better future of kids

Deepti Kaul, Hindustan Times
March 16, 2008


	FDCI has designed a 'pledge wall,' which says 'A pledge for a better future' at the venue where all designers are writing their views and urging to stop child labour. -HT Photo

Lots of in and out is happening on the fourth day at the ongoing Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.
Designers at stalls are busy selling and showing their clothes to buyers, but at the same time they have taken out some time to raise and support one of the sensitive social issue of our country- 'Child Labour '.

FDCI has designed a 'pledge wall,' which says 'A pledge for a better future' at the venue where all the designers are writing there views and urging to stop child labour.

"Our youth are the future; please do not use child labour. It is a sin beyond that ruins the innocence," writes Ashish Soni, who is going to present his show along with designer Ananmika Khanna at the grand finale.

"Don't talk just support child education & be with them for support everyone needs," writes the designer duo Ashish & Vikraj.

Designer Charu Prashar's message shows her love for children. "I love kids, have two of my own. Do you make your children work? So how can you think of other children working. Abolish it!

Deepika Govind shares her nobel views, "Everytime I see a child on the street. I think of mine. I pray that besides banning child labour. We help them; let them live life with dignity."

http://www.hindustantimes.com/htsite/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?
id=8e09ef46-bc34-4497-883c-c605a2267a70WillsLifestyleIndiaFashionWeek2008_Special&&Headline=
Ban+child+labour%2c+say+designers

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Global March Against Child Labour - From Exploitation to Education

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