question_answer 8)

On the basis of these news reports write a letter to the editor or a petition to a court highlighting the violation of the right against exploitation    

A petition was filed in the Madras High Court. The petitioner said a large number of children aged between seven and 12 were taken from villages in Saleem district and sold at auctions at Olur Nagar in Kerala's Thrissur district. The petitioner requested the courts to order the government to check these facts. (March 2005)

   

Children, from the age of five were employed in the iron or mines in the Hospet, Sandur and the Ikal areas in Karnataka. Children were forced to carry out digging, breaking stones, loading, dumping, transporting and processing of iron ore with no safely equipment, fixed wages and working hours. They handled a high-level of toxic wastes and were exposed to mine dust, which was above the permissible level. The school dropout rate in the region was very high. (May 2005)

     

The latest annual survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organization found that the number of female child labourers was growing both in rural and urban areas. The survey revealed there were 41 female child labourers per thousand worker population in rural areas as against the previous figure of 34 per thousand. The figure for male child had remained at 31. (April 2005)

 

Answer:

Letter to the Editor   Dear Sir, This is to bring to the notice of all concerned that many children are being exploited and forced to work for food and shelter. Instances which have come to my knowledge are            (i) A large number of village children between the ages of 7 to 12 years of Salem district in.                  Tamil Nadu has been sold in Kerala to work as child labour.          (ii) Many children in Karnataka, even down to the age of 5 years, have been employed in                     digging,breaking stones, loading and processing iron ore in the mines there. The work is                  very hazardous and they are not using any safety measures.                                (iii) Female child labour is also being utilized in many places. In fact, the number of female                   child labourers has increased in recent times, both in urban as well as rural areas.   By this letter, I wish to bring these facts to the notice of the Government, so that they can take suitable action against the people who are violating the Right against Exploitation of these children. I hope that my plea will create a proper response from the government to bring these malpractices to an end. Yours etc Sd/-