Report for SPAN on the Human Rights’ Violations of the Ragpicker Children

Summary

Child labour is widespread in India, but although this is recognised both internationally and domestically as a serious problem, it is impossible to cite accurate figures as to the extent of the child workforce. Ragpicking is undertaken in all big cities in India, including Kolkata. Ragpickers are part of the informal sector managing recycling work, which in other countries is managed by local authorities. The reason that children work in this trade is because it requires no skill and can earn a child more money than other unskilled labour. Many children are introduced to the work when they are very young by their families and gradually increase their own work as they get older. The aim of this report is to analyse the problems that ragpicker children face and frame them in terms of human rights violations and what the legal implications are. The information in this report is gathered from SPAN workers, the children themselves and from my own observation and research.