Gujarat: 12 child laborers rescued from Rajkot university campus

Rajkot: Twelve child laborers, the majority of whom belonged to Tribal communities in Rajasthan, were rescued from a university campus in Rajkot, Gujarat, on Thursday by a team composed of members of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), the Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), the Labor Department, the Centre for Labor Research and Action, and the Police.

In our society, forcing children into child Laboure in various types of restaurants and industries is still common, so when these kids were found on a university campus, everyone was astonished.

Since its founding by Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi in 1980, BBA has worked to free children from child labor.

The rescued children, who ranged in age from 13 to 17, were forced to labor about 15 to 18 hours a day in the university's kitchens.

These child labourers were working on the R K University campus in Rajkot after Bachpan Bachao Andolan received information about them through their complaint cell.

The BBA team-maintained contact with the informant, who used pictures and videos to confirm the information.

The rescue effort was carried out after it was established.

After being rescued, the children disclosed that their managers had subjected them to both physical and mental abuse in addition to making them work long hours.

Furthermore, many of them received no payment, and those who did were given very little in the name of wages.

Manish Sharma, Director of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, expressed irony in the fact that children who should have been students are instead trafficked and made to work in schools and colleges. The use of child labor in places meant for education is a serious issue, highlighting the dire circumstances these children face in society.

Currently, the BBA team is facilitating the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections in the Aji Dam Police Station in Rajkot city.

The children will be sent to the Child Care Institution (CCI) after being produced in front of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for immediate care and protection. (UNI)