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

Child and adult labour in the garment export industry of Tirupur
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Case 7: Dhanalakshmi
Dhanalakshmi Givananthan is 12 years of age and started working in an export garment factory in
Tirupur 3 month ago. She is a Hindu and from the Backward Caste. She assists the tailor and
earns Rs 13 per day. This amount she gives daily to her mother. When she is at home she helps
her father stitching buttons. Only Dhanalakshmi and her father bring money into the household.
He gets around Rs 1000 per month. But the work is not regular.
Dhanalakshmi's father has send her to work because he cannot buy enough food and clothing for
the whole family. Dhanalakshmi's elder sister is working in the house only. She has had education
up to 3rd standard. Dhanalakshmi's younger sister is 11 years and still goes to school in the 5th
standard. Dhanalakshmi has had education up to the level of 4th standard. The whole family
migrated from Salem to Tirupur because the job opportunities are better in Tirupur.
In the factory where Dhanalakshmi works, 10 other girls are doing similar work. Dhanalakshmi
works 7 shifts per week and when a dead-line has to be made she also works on Sundays. All the
tailors in the factory are women. The unit is spacious and well ventilated. There is also a drinking
water facility and a toilet. Next to her job, Dhanalakshmi's father also wants her to continue
education and therefore she goes to the NFE centre which gives lessons in the evening hours.
Later in life, she wants to become a teacher.
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