Research Abstracts on Child Labour Women Labour - Nipccd

Glass Industry
Ghosh Singh, Ruma and Sharma, Rajeev. (2003)
Child labour in the glass bangle industry of Firozabad. NOIDA : V.V. Giri National
Labour Institute. 66 p.
Key Words : 1. CHILD LABOUR 2.GLASS BANGLE INDUSTRY 3.CHILD LABOUR FIROZABAD
4.CHILD ABUSE 5.LABOUR LEGISLATION 6.CHILD MOLESTING 7.CHILD NEGLECT.
Abstract : The study was undertaken in the glass bangle manufacturing industry in
Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh. The objective was to understand the impact of
relevant legislation on child labour, keeping in view demand-side factors, supply-side factors
and the state of education in the area. A sample of 1013 households was taken for study,
out of which 312 households had migratory status. Study was conducted through
observations, questionnaires and focus group discussions with parents of the working
children; education department officials; labour department officers and other government
officials; school teachers; Panchayati Raj representatives; trade union representatives and
employers who helped in gathering quantitative and qualitative information. Bangle
production is done at two stages - initial making of glass spiral is done at factory level and
then the entire work is transferred to household sector, where child labour is quite high.
As the contribution of child labour income to the family is substantial, withdrawal of
children from this industry would require a well-planned strategic effort, and the
formalisation of informal sector may also provide an opportunity for non-involvement of
children in work. In India, the Factories Act of 1881 for the first time banned the working
of children below seven years in factories. Further, Child Labour (Prohibition and
Regulation) Act, 1986 and the National Policy on Child Labour, 1987 was formulated to
provide relief to children who work in factories. Health and education schemes were
started under Child Labour Projects for their welfare. Legislation were enacted so as to
increase the minimum age of work for children, decrease the total working hours of the
children in non-hazardous work, and prohibit work during night. Legal provisions of various
kinds that prevented the growth of child labour included ban on child employment in
hazardous jobs, and ban on import of goods from countries and industries using child labour.
Compulsory school education and supportive programmes to promote enrolment led to
further interventions, discouraging child labour. As a result of the historic judgement by
the Supreme Court on December 10, 1996, a child labour survey was conducted by the
district administration from April 4, 1997 to May 12, 1997, which identified 4,978 working
children, out of which 4,537 were in hazardous occupations and 441 in non-hazardous
occupations. Based on this survey, notices were issued to employers to deposit money in
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<strong>Research</strong> <strong>Abstracts</strong> on Child Labour, Labour and Women Labour 1998 - 2009