Focus on kid-free domestic work zone

CHENNAI: A project on promoting domestic work scene sans child labour was initiated in the city on Sunday, on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour. Non-governmental organisations, including Arunodhaya and Save the Children, are part of the plan to lobby for the creation of child rights protection committees in schools.    The child-free domestic work zone was launched in T P Chatram, Kodambakkam, T Nagar and Choolaimedu — areas that see high concentration of girl child labourers in domestic work scene.According to International Labour Organisation estimates, domestic sector is the single largest source of employment for girls under 16 years of age across the globe.“The scene in Chennai is no different. Domestic sector is the biggest employer and exploiter of girl children living in  slums,“ said Arunodhaya Executive Director Virgil Samy.As per data provided by Arunodhaya, most of the full-time child  domestic workers in the city work for 12 hours a day and are paid just `500 a month. Part-time workers get even lesser, between `150 and `200. The activities of NGOs have started to show some results. In parts of T P Chatram and Kodambakkam, where the project has been on for quite a while now, nine activity centres are functioning for 282 part-time and 26 full-time child domestic workers.Divya Priya (16) of Choolaimedu was doubling up as a domestic worker for many hours before and after her school hours before Arunodhaya’s intervention. “I started doing chores to help my mother. I was not paid any money separately. I washed vessels and clothes. Coming back home from school, I used to work till 6 pm. This affected my studies a lot. After Arunodhaya’s help, my parents understood that it was important for me to put in more hours of study. So, I work only on Sundays now. I am sure I will definitely do better in studies if I do not have to go for work at all,” Priya said.But all is not a smooth ride for NGOs like Arunodhaya. “It is difficult to identify and rescue migrant child labourers. The role of flat owners’ association is paramount here as they can inform the childline 1098 or call 42632264, if they see any of their neighbours engaging children as domestic workers,” Virgil Samy said.