What is the problem or need the project is addressing?
India has recently come under international scrutiny for its widespread practice of using children as workers. Exact numbers of children affected are not known, but certainly run into millions (the number of children under the age of 14 in India exceeds the entire population of the United States).
Poverty is a major root cause of child labour. Often, extremely poor families cannot afford to educate their children, and instead rely for survival on the extra money (very often a pittance) that their children can earn. It is a vicious cycle - child labour also perpetuates poverty because, having been denied an education as children, child workers then struggle to find well-paid employment as adults.
The legislation in India banning child labour focuses on the more visible and hazardous forms of work. It applies principally to children under 14 years working outside the home in particular activities or industries and does not include work on the family farm or home-based work. However these more hidden forms of child labour are extremely prevalent and can be just as damaging.
It is estimated that home-workers account for over 50% of India’s labour force. Home-workers often receive piece rates which are too low to support their families, so the only way to make ends meet is for their children to help with production. Most children aged 5-14 in home-based worker households in India work in the home-based activity.
What is the project doing?
The project seeks to ensure the rights and development of children working in the home-based crafts sector in northern India. The main aim of the project is to develop a model which, taking into account the views and concerns of the children and families involved, can be used by governments, industry, non-governmental organisations and child welfare agencies to provide sustainable solutions to child labour.
It will do this by:
- Researching the complex issues surrounding child labour in the Indian craft sector
- Developing a model addressing the root causes of child labour in the home, such as low adult wage
- Testing and refining the model, then producing a guidance document to be used by different stakeholders
- Undertaking advocacy activities with government to improve policies around child labour and schools provision
- Undertaking advocacy with the private sector in both India and Europe to raise awareness among brands, retailers, exporters and contractors on the impact their practices are having on home-based workers (child workers in particular), and how they can make improvements in their supply chains to eliminate child labour
What impact has the project had?
This is a new project so it is too early to assess impact. We expect it to result in the creation and testing of a community-owned, sustainable model for the reduction of child labour in the Indian home-based craft sector. A network of key stakeholders (fair trade organisations, producer groups, civil society, communities/families, child workers themselves, retailers, exporters and the government) will also be empowered to work collectively on child labour issues. Dissemination of learning and guidance will enable the adoption of this model in other sectors and geographical areas.
At least 7,500 families (with roughly 15,000 children) who make crafts in the home for 150 craft producing organisations in India will benefit immediately from the project, with many thousands more in the long term if the model is adopted more widely.
Our local partner
Our local partners in the project are the Centre for Education and Communication (CEC), the Fair Trade Foundation India (FTFI), and Shop for Change.
How is this project funded?
This project is funded by the European Commission and grant-making trusts.
