TNN | Feb 12, 2014, 03.23 AM IST

JAIPUR: The problem of bonded labourers continues as more child labourers were found in the city on Friday. The city police rescued 24 child labourers engaged in zari (embroidery) and bangle manufacturing unit in Bhatta Basti area of the city.

It may be recalled that last year more than 350 such children were rescued by Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (RSCPCR), government railway police, NGOs and the city police.

A team of police along with NGO members raided some houses in Bhatta Basti and found these kids aging between 8-15 years working in inhuman conditions. The children were found involved in zari work and manufacturing of bangles when the police raided the unit operating from a small house. At an age when they should be in school, these children were employed in work, the police said.

"At least 100 kids were compelled to work and sleep in a very small room. They were not given proper meals and were not allowed to sleep for more than six hours," said a senior police officer of Bhatta Basti police station on Tuesday.

Police said majority of the child labourers are from Bihar and were getting very poor wages. "Most of them belong to very poor families and it is likely that their parents send them to work in such conditions through the agents, who bring these kids from villages," the officer added.

The police have lodged an FIR against the person, who owns the zari embroidery unit.

The children rescued were handed over to Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Jaipur from where they were sent to child care homes.

Moreover, medical test of the children would also be conducted. These children would be sent to their homes in Bihar after completing the formalities, the CWC official said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/24-child-labourers-rescued-from-bangle-embroidery-unit/articleshow/30243074.cms