Research Abstracts on Child Labour Women Labour - Nipccd

Rag Pickers
Sekar, Helen R. (2004).
Child labour in urban informal sector : a study of ragpickers in NOIDA. NOIDA :
V.V. Giri National Labour Institute. 104 p.
Key Words : 1.CHILD LABOUR 2.RAGPICKER 3.INFORMAL SECTOR 4.UNORGANIZED
LABOUR 4.NOIDA.
Abstract : Child labour has been an important area of social concern, both nationally and
internationally. The study was conducted in Noida city, and covered 836 households with a
total population of 4315, comprising 2407 males and 1908 females. The percentage of
ragpickers was higher in Hindu households (83%) compared to Muslims (17%). Only 0.74%
migrant households had migrated to the city before 1980, while the remaining 99.26%
migrated after 1980. More than 42% households were inter-district migrants, while the
other State migrants were from Bihar (31%) and West Bengal (18.49%). 42.02% households
had only one earning member whereas 38.40% households had two earning members. 3.10%
of households did not have any adult earning member. Of the total households, 63.16%
reported monthly income between Rs 1001 to 3000; 83% had income below Rs 1000; and
2.64% had monthly income between Rs 5001 to 7000. Enrolment ratio of ragpickers in 1995-
1996 was 90.8% in the age group 6-11years, and it came down to 55.7% in the age group 11-
14 years. Among the sample population, only 28.32% were literate, male literacy being 35.1%
and female literacy 19.82%. The reasons for dropping out of school were financial problems
(42.52%), lack of interest (33.86%), sibling care (0.39%), etc. Among the children engaged
in ragpicking, 0.32% children were below 4 years; 7.24% were in the age group 5-6 years;
14.38% were 7-8 years; 28% were 9-10 years; 29.62% were 11-12 years; and 20.44% were
13-14 years. Children faced various problems such as police harassment, sexual abuse,
uncertainty, exploitation by kabariwalas (junk dealers), illiteracy, poor housing, etc. 79.78%
of the children expressed negative feelings for ragpicking. 20.22% expressed their liking
for ragpicking as it was an easy way of making money. 78.91% became ragpickers due to
parental poverty. 65.08% of children entered this occupation on their own, and 18.59% had
been introduced by their mothers and fathers. 0.22% children spent up to 13 hours a day in
ragpicking, 10.27% spent 6-8 hours per day, and nearly 50% spent 3-5 hours a day. Nearly
59
<strong>Research</strong> <strong>Abstracts</strong> on Child Labour, Labour and Women Labour 1998 - 2009