Representatives of Childline Foundation, an organisation active in rescuing child labourers in Mumbai, say the law clearly prohibits employing children in construction labour. “It is the lowest and most menial form of unskilled labour. It prevents the child from gaining skills and leads to gross violation of child rights,” says Nishit Kumar, head of communication and strategic initiatives at Childline. “The BMC should make sure that contractors do not employ child labourers and the tender conditions should explicitly say so.”

The BMC, however, chose to pass the buck. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Special Engineering) DL Shinde said it was the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that children are not employed. “We cannot look into all the nitty-gritties and are more worried about finishing the work on time.”

On the other hand, Mukesh Purohit, the superintendent for contractor Babulal Uttamchandani, insisted there are no children at work. “There are no children working on the project. They might have accompanied their parents as it is vacation time. You might have seen them playing at the spot,” he said.

But that’s not what Mohammed Sheikh, Wasim Seth and Mohammed Arif, teenagers from rural parts of the country, say. They have been working inside the excavated portion of Pedder Road, carrying soil and water for several hours a day. A labour contractor at the spot also confirms that the children were picked up from Reay Road and have been working on various infrastructure projects in the city. “They are paid between Rs 140 and Rs 160 a day for a 10-hour shift from 8 am to 6 pm. If they carry out excavation work, they are paid Rs 220,” he says.

... contd.