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EFFORTS
TO ERADICATE CHILD LABOUR
 By
the year 2005, Andhra Pradesh would be the first ever
'child labour free' state in India, if the ILO-IPEC
project and other state government's efforts are accomplished
successfully. The International Labour Organisation
(ILO), on 6th February 2001, launched its first ever
state-based project 'The International Programme on
the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC)' in the state
of Andhra Pradesh in India.
"Since 1992, ILO has been engaged in child labour
eradication programmes through IPEC, by providing technical
and financial assistance to the needy member countries
of ILO. Till now in India, all the IPEC projects were
confined to small pockets. This is our first state-level
project which covers the entire state. The Andhra Pradesh
State-Based Project (APSBP) is a pilot project, which
will work for the progressive elimination of child labour
in the state and envisages developing a replicable model
for similar projects in other states of India," said
Mr M P Joseph, National Project Manager
ILO-IPEC.
 Why
was Andhra Pradesh chosen for the project? Joseph explained
further, "Because the state is recognised today
as one of the most progressive states for administrative
innovation and efficiency. According to the 1991 census,
AP has the largest number of child labourers amongst the
states in India. In Andhra Pradesh, the child population
is 35.90% of the total population. And there are over
16.16 lakh child workers who are employed mostly in hotels,
automobile workshops, small shops and establishments,
agriculture and construction industry. Of the total child
labour population, nearly 51.5% is girls."
 This
prestigious project would be implemented in active participation
with the concerned state governmental departments and
agencies, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Trade
Unions and Employers organisations. ILO-IPEC, Hyderabad
office, conducted a 'Partners Meet' on the launching
day, in which 75 representatives of various organisations
took part. "The officials explained about the
legal procedures and various reporting methods that are
to be followed by the partners of the project," said
Mr Suman C Malladi, who took part in the meet. He
has been associated with child labour eradication projects
for the past few years.
The total cost of the project will be around Rs. 21 crore.
The government of the United Kingdom for Great Britain
and Northern Ireland through its Department for International
Development (DFID) is funding the project. "The
project will initially continue for a period of two years
with the option for extension up to three years further,"
told Mr B Srinivas Reddy, a project
officer.
 "There
is no proper data available on child labour. One of the
main objectives of the present project is data collection
and storage in such a manner that can be retrieved at
any time by anybody for the welfare of the children. The
State government and ILO are planning to set up an Institute
for Child Labour, which would take up policy research,
documentation and surveys on Child Labour practice in
India," revealed Mr Joseph.
The Project will focus on various components ranging from
mobilising women against child labour to providing sustainable
livelihood opportunities to families of rehabilitated
children to setting up committees at the state level that
would sustain action against child labour. "Sustainable
livelihood plays a major role in reducing the incidence
of child labour. We are empowering the family members
of the child labourers by imparting training in micro
businesses like milk vending and vegetable selling. The
ILO-IPEC project don't provide direct financial assistance.
We do train the already employed elders to get better
pay and better jobs," explained Joseph.
 Vision-2020
document of Andhra Pradesh is targeted at rehabilitating
the 1.6 lakh children working in hazardous industries
all over the state by the year 2005. The ILO-IPEC project
will definitely help the State government to achieve the
goal. As the IPEC project is being implemented in collaboration
with various partners like individuals, social organisations
and business houses, whoever concerned about the future
generation, can join the project to take our State towards
the goal of making it 'Swarnandhra Pradesh'.
For details contact: M P Joseph, National Project
Manager, ILO - IPEC - AP Project Office, D5A, Vikrampuri
Colony, Secunderabad - 500 009. Phone: 781 4762,
781 4767. Fax: 781 4784.
URL: www.ilo.org/childlabour |
| - Mohan G Jagan |
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