Child-and-adult-labour-in-the-export-oriented-garment-and-gem-polishing-industry-of-India

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Child and adult labour in the garment export industry of Tirupur
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family of 4 members in the 'KVR slum' near Tirupur. Her father sells edibles on a cycle car and
earns Rs 1000 and her mother works in the construction which adds another Rs 600 to the
family's income. Still this money is not sufficient for the family to live from. So the parents
decided that Rani should work too. The best option is the hosiery factory, which is next to their
house in the slum. There is no need to travel a long time to the workplace, which is much safer
for young girls.
This week she has worked 5 shifts and also one nightshift up to 1 a.m. The job consisted of collecting
the cloths and arranging them. For that work she receives Rs 20 per day. Next to Rani,
there are 5 more girl children working in the factory. When they work after 9 p.m. they get tea
from the supervisor. Other girls and Rani are often scolded by him at moments they talk with
each other. During the one hour lunch break, Rani goes home and eats there.
The workplace is well ventilated and spacious, according to Rani. She can make use of a toilet
and drinking water facility. Rani went to school before this job up till the third standard. But her
father told her that the family is suffering from loans taken earlier, and that he can not pay back
the loans. For that reason the family had left the village. Rani is compelled to go to work and the
money she receives she has to give to her mother. Her father also wants her to continue her education
and, therefore, she is attending the lessons of the NFE centre. But the combination is very
tiring. There is no free time left. Inside the household she is also required to assist. Rani did not
want to leave the regular school and she hopes she can join it again. Later in life Rani wants to
become a tailor and stitch garments. She likes working with clothes.
Case 3: Selva
Selva started working at the age of 9. Now he is 12 years of age. He has gone to school up to 4th
standard but failed there. Then he decided to quit by himself and his parents told him where to
find a job in Tirupur. But later he told me that his parents had sent him to work for the money.
For the last three years he has been assisting the tailor for Rs 25 per day. He works 9 shifts per
week and hardly comes home before 9 p.m. Sometimes he has to work in the night also, and even
on Sundays. For the overtime work he is not paid extra money. Selva tells that when he makes
mistakes the supervisor scolds him.
Selva says that working is sometimes very tiring as there is only a 1 hour lunch break. When he
works till late in the evening there is no other break. Though he gets tea during the nightshift, it is
sometimes difficult not to fall asleep. This is the same for the other 29 children who are working
with him in the factory. There are another 23 boys and 6 girls working in the factory. Selva suffers
often from Typhoid since he started working.
The money Selva gets he gives to his parents; he keeps Rs 10 every week. With that money he
goes to see a movie with his friends. Selva lives in the 'KVR slum' near Tirupur with his family of
5 members. His father works in a construction site and earns Rs 1000 in a month. He is illiterate.
His elder brother Jodi of 15 years of age is also working as an assistant of a tailor earning Rs 600
per month. He went to school up to the 5th standard. His sister Palani is 18 years, works in the
household, and is also illiterate. The family is from the Scheduled Caste.