Where do rescued child labourers go?
By Sahil Makkar. Delhi, India, 12:00 PM IST The rescue of child labourers makes sensational news, but it is not really known what happens to these children in the long term. Often the vicious cycle of poverty, illiteracy and lack of rehabilitation homes throws them right back into the morass they came from. The long existing issue of child labour was caught the media attention again when British newspaper The Observer revealed last month that hand-stitched blouses intended for sale at GapKids stores across the US and Europe were produced by child labourers in India. Following the expos, the famous San Francisco-based clothing giant recalled the goods sourced from a city-based supplier. Indian authorities and activists also acted promptly and rescued at least 42 children – some as young as eight – from the garment factory in south Delhi’s Shahpurjaat area. But have they really been rescued? Especially when the rehabilitation centres for children are already overflowing? ‘Around 50 perce
