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International Labour Organisation (ILO) has cautioned against use of child labour and said that monitoring working conditions in the global chains is vital to stem the use of child labour in production of goods, including garments. The ILO pointed out that the number of children still trapped in child labour fell by only three per cent between 2004 and 2008 to 215 million. Of these, a staggering 115 million continue to be exposed to hazardous conditions, an ILO report recently said. However, among globally traded goods which have seen significant efforts to address the problem of child labour in their productions are garment, sporting goods and carpets. While India clarified that there are only isolated cases of child labour (which is not reflective of the entire garmenting sector ) and none of forced child labour in the garment industry, it is also trying to convince the US of its commitments towards eliminating child labour wherever it exists in the value chain. India also pointed out that the situation is far better than that of Bangladesh and Pakistan where the child labour is rampant. A senior official of textile ministry said that AEPC has issued an advisory to all its members against use of child labour. India has already conveyed to the US on its policies against use of forced child labour. AEPC also said that it is committed to not only guarantee non-usage of child labour in any textile unit in India but also to see that factories in the country followed the best labour practices. It has also initiated the process of formulating a Common Compliance Code to guide the industry, SMEs in particular, with regard to labour reforms, wage discrimination, flexible workers hours, health and safety issues and working conditions last year after Tirupur, the knitting hub in TamilNadu, drew international attention over alleged use of child labour. Tirupur Exporters Association also made its members sign a self declaration decree against use of child labour in their units. Infact, Britain’s leading cloth retailers ‘ Primark’ had once cancelled the contracts of three suppliers in Tamil Nadu for using child labour. Though isolated, instances of use of child labour in Indian garment industry has not gone down well with the US that accounts for 30 per cent of India’s total apparel exports worth 10 billion US dollar. In September 2009, US Department of Labour listed Indian garments under the Executive Orders 13126 List (EOL). This is perceived trade barrier that could emanate from the US. While US Federal Government does not procure anything from India currently, an EOL Label could hamper India’s chances of trade with the US in future. It is now to be seen how the government will tackle the situation in the interest of the entire garment industry.
A K. GUHA
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