The Young Indian Labourers Losing Their Childhood

Summary

This transcript sheds light on child labor in the southern Indian village of Sivakasi, where children, primarily girls, work in hazardous matchbox and fireworks factories to help support their families. Despite laws against child labor, these children endure dangerous conditions, breathing toxic fumes and handling harmful chemicals for a meager wage. The economic pressure on families, especially from lower castes, forces many to send their children to work instead of school. This cycle of poverty and exploitation continues, with little regard for the children's health or well-being, while their labor fuels a multi-million-dollar industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Children in a small village in Tamil Nadu, India, help their families by making matchboxes, often from a young age, starting at just four years old.
• 😀 Child labor is prevalent in the region, with children working long hours, typically more than 12 hours a day, in hazardous conditions.
• 😀 Despite child labor being illegal in India, families often rely on it to survive, with children earning a mere 9 rupees (about 25 US cents) for 1000 glued boxes.
• 😀 The matchbox and fireworks industries in Sivakasi employ a large portion of the population, including children, who are exposed to toxic chemicals and poor working conditions.
• 😀 Most families in the region belong to the lowest caste, and their daughters have limited opportunities, with many suffering from female infanticide and limited access to education.
• 😀 Children who work in factories breathe in toxic fumes, which can cause serious health issues, such as lung damage and circulatory problems.
• 😀 Government programs, like compensation for lost earnings, aim to reduce child labor, but the assistance is often insufficient, with families still prioritizing work over education.
• 😀 Many women and children work in both the factories and the fields, including the elderly, with multi-generational labor being common.
• 😀 Sivakasi is a significant hub for the fireworks industry, with over 200 factories exporting products worldwide, despite frequent accidents and unsafe working conditions.
• 😀 Local laws have been enacted to fine factory owners who employ children, but enforcement remains weak, and the practice continues covertly in many places.

Q & A

What type of work are the children in Sivakasi involved in?

Children in Sivakasi work in the matchbox manufacturing and fireworks industry, making matchboxes and assembling fireworks. The work is labor-intensive and hazardous, and they are paid very little for their efforts.

How much are the children paid for their work in matchbox production?

Children are paid approximately nine rupees (about 25 US cents) for 1000 glued matchboxes.

What are the working conditions like for children in this industry?

The working conditions are harsh, with children working long hours in dark, unsafe environments. They are exposed to harmful chemicals in the matchbox and fireworks manufacturing processes, which can cause health problems.

What is the main reason children in Sivakasi work in such conditions?

The primary reason is poverty. Many families depend on the income generated by their children, and the parents are often unable to provide an alternative source of income due to low wages and limited job opportunities.

How does child labor affect the children's future in Sivakasi?

Child labor prevents children from receiving an education, denying them opportunities for a better future. They spend long hours working instead of attending school, and the physical toll of hazardous work often damages their health, reducing their chances of having a normal, healthy life.

What are the legal implications of child labor in India?

Child labor is illegal in India, and factory owners caught employing children can be fined. However, enforcement of the law is weak, and child labor continues to be widespread, often in secret.

How does the caste system influence child labor in Sivakasi?

The majority of children working in these industries come from the lowest castes, which are traditionally assigned to manual and hazardous labor. These families often have limited opportunities, and the pay for their work is reflective of their social standing.

What role do women and girls play in the work in Sivakasi?

Women and girls make up most of the workforce in Sivakasi’s matchbox and fireworks industries. They are involved in tasks such as assembling matchboxes and handling hazardous chemicals, often under poor working conditions.

What efforts are being made to address child labor in the Sivakasi industry?

There are efforts by human rights organizations and legal advocates to enforce laws against child labor. One such initiative is the passage of a law that holds factory owners liable for employing children, with fines imposed. However, enforcement remains difficult, and many factories continue to employ children secretly.

What are the health risks associated with working in the fireworks factories?

Workers in the fireworks factories are exposed to harmful chemicals like barium nitrate and aluminum dust, which can lead to circulatory problems, lung damage, and skin conditions. Despite the risks, workers are often unable to seek medical help due to financial constraints and the need to keep working.