Child labour in cotton growing haryana 23 feb

CHILD LABOUR IN COTTON GROWING
FIELDS

BASE LINE SURVEY OF
HARYANA

CONTENT

Chapter Title of the Chapter Pages
No

Summary 1-3

1 Introduction 4-8

2 Village Profile 9-12

3 Household and Child Profile 13-21

4 Child Labour 22-26

5. Children in Cotton Work 27-34

Annexure 35-36

2

SUMMARY STATISTICS OF CHILDREN IN THREE COTTON GROWING
DISTRICT IN HARYANA

A. CHILDREN
Age Group 6-14 years 15-17* years 6-17* years
Male
Estimated (%) 196,971 (21.0) 74,389 (7.9) 271,360 (28.9)
Sample (No.) 2158 815 2973
Female
Estimated (%) 170,305 (20.9) 53,922 (6.6) 128,598 (27.5)
Sample (No.) 1775 562 2337
Persons
Estimated (%) 271,360 (20.9) 128,598 (7.3) 495,900 (28.3)
Sample (No.) 3933 1377 5310

B. EDUCATIONAL STATUS
Age Group 6-14 years 15-17* years 6-17* years
Attending school (%) 94.4 81.5 91.1
Sample (No.) 3712 1108 4820
Drop Out (%) 1.2 11.4 3.8
Sample (No.) 46 155 201
Never Attended School (%) 4.4 7.0 5.1
Sample (No.) 174 95 269

C. WORKING CHILDREN
Age -Group
6-14 years 15-17* years 6-17* years
Male
Estimated Main (%) 4,290 (2.2) 12,505 (16.8) 16,795 (6.2)
Estimated Main +Subsidiary (%) 29,482 (15.0) 36,875 (49.6) 66,357 (24.5)
Survey (No.) Main 47 137 184
Survey (No.) Main +Subsidiary 323 404 727
Female
Estimated Main (%) 672 (0.4) 768 (1.4) 1,439 (0.6)
Persons
Estimated Main (%) 4,962 (1.4) 13,272 (10.5) 18,234 (3.7)

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D. WORKING CHILDREN IN COTTON
Age -Group
6-14 years 15-17* years 6-17* years
Male
Estimated Main (%) 2,008 (1.0) 4,564 (6.1) 6,572 (2.4)
Female
Estimated Main (%) 576 (0.3) 480 (0.9) 1,055 (0.5)
Persons
Estimated Main (%) 2,584 (0.7) 5,043 (4.0) 7,627 (1.6)

*upto 18 years of age; Household Covered in Survey: 4022 And Individual Household Members; 18783

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background
Save the Children, Bal-Raksha, Bharat is a child rights organisation and an independent
member of the International Save the Children Alliance. It works with children,
communities, government and civil society organisations across 12 states and union
territories for realisation of children’s rights, particularly in the areas of quality education,
protection from abuse and exploitation, health & nutrition and protection in emergency
situations. The organisation works to make child labour socially and culturally
unacceptable primarily through intense community and children’s mobilisation and
through constructive engagement with national and state governments.

In spite of international instruments, constitutional guarantees and legal provisions that
ban employment of children under the age of 14, the problem of child labour persists in the
Indian society. The largest employment of children in India is in agriculture, accounting for
about 80% of total working children. More than 40% of those children are actually
employed in the cotton fields – both commercial cotton and cottonseed. A study by IKEA
(2008) has estimated that about 4.1 million children are currently employed in cotton
fields alone across six major cotton growing states in India. These cotton states include
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. Apart from this, a
study by D. Venkateswarlu (2007) had projected an employment of over 400,000 children
in the cottonseeds production process.

Recognising the enormity of child labour issues in commercial cotton and cottonseed
production and the urgency to work for their progressive elimination, Save the Children
and IKEA – a global leader in modern home and office accessories – have come together
with a 12 year intervention strategy between 2009 and 2021. A total of six major cotton
growing states as mentioned above will be covered under this strategy. The 12 years are
divided in to 3 four-year project phases. The first phase started with the states of
Maharastra and Gujarat wherein highest employment of children in cotton have been
estimated. The project is proposed to be extended to the states of Punjab, Haryana and
Rajasthan. This study proposes to conduct a baseline survey to examine the incidence of
child labour, their working conditions, their awareness of child rights and the socio-
economic profile and living standards of their families in the selected households belonging
to the four districts of Punjab and three districts of Haryana and one district of Rajasthan,
where Save the Children and IKEA proposes to commence the project on elimination of
child labour. The first part of this study was conducted in Banswara district of Rajasthan.

1.2. Study Area
In the production of cotton, Haryana state has come up as a major producer in India. The
cotton in Haryana is cultivated under cotton-wheat double cropping. It grows long staple
cotton. The cotton growing districts are Hisar, Sirsa, Jind, Fatehabad, Bhiwani, Jhajjar and
Rohtac etc. The time of sowing is from 15th April to 30th May and the picking is done in the
month of Ocober-November. In the present study major districts Hissar, Sirsa and
Fatehabad districts have been selected for detail investigation. These districts are located

5

in western Haryana and touching the boundaries of Punjab in the North and Rajasthan in
the south.

In the selected districts almost two third of the population resides in rural areas. The sex
ratio of the districts in rural areas was far below than the national average of 947 in 2011.
Average literacy rate of districts in 2011 was in the rage of 67 per cent and 70 per cent. The
literacy rate in lower in studied district compared to state.

Table 1.1: District Wise Rural Population Distribution
Sirsa Hisar Fatehabab Haryana
Total Population 974,624 1,189,789 762,182 16,531,49
Population 75.25 68.27 80.95 65.21
Male Population 514,092 634,149 400,587 8,791,036
Female Population 460,532 555,640 361,595 7,740,457
Literacy 66.90 70.02 66.73 72.74
Sex Ratio 896 876 903 880
Source: Census of India, 2011

According to National Sample Survey, 2010, about 40% people and 5.4 % children between
the age group of 6-18 years are working rural Hayrana. More than half of all the workers
and 69% children were involved in agriculture including cotton cultivation in 2010. In
agriculture more female workers were involved compared to male in rural areas of
Haryana.

Table 1.2: Workers Distribution in Rural Haryana
Male Female Total
Worker (%)
All 52.15 24.96 39.59
Children (6-18) 6.18 4.33 5.42
Agriculture Worker (%)
All 50.92 81.42 59.80
Children (6-18) 60.08 87.64 69.09
Source: National Sample Survey, 2010

1.3. Relevance and Objectives
The purpose of the survey is to provide a baseline for designing interventions that can
mitigate the problem of child labour and provide long-term gains through a multi-pronged
approach. The baseline would be used to monitor progress and success against the
identified impact indicators. Following are the main objectives of the study:

6

• To establish a set of baseline against identified indicators to measure progress and
success of the project in terms of qualitative improvement in lives of working children
and their families
• Estimating the number of children involved in cotton cultivation
• To study the working Condition of the children involved in cotton cultivation

1.4. Research Methodology
There is large number of child working population in India. Children not only work in
family farms but also migrate to distant areas for work. Various studies showed that
comparatively large number of children involved in cotton fields of Haryana. In the study
we have chosen cotton three growing districts of Haryana namely Hisar, Sirsa and
Fatehabad. In the study, our purpose is to estimate of child labour involved in specific
activity of cotton cultivation in Haryana, which can be considered as destination of child
labour (that includes both local and migrant child workers). In cotton growing districts of
Haryana a three-stage sampling procedure (at blocks, village and households) will be
adopted for the selection of primary unit of survey (household).

(a) Selection of Blocks
The number of blocks selected in each district were based on two considerations i) number
of blocks, where cotton is grown, and ii)minimum of two villages in each of the selected
block for field survey. The detail is given below:

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Table: District Wise Number of Cotton Growing Blocks and Selected Blocks

Total Cotton Selected
Growing Blocks
Hisar 5 3
Fatehabad 4 2
Sirsa 4 2
Total cotton growing blocks 13 7

(b) Selection of Villages
Similar numbers of villages have chosen from each of the block in a district. The number of
villages in the district to be surveyed was divided equally in the selected block. These
villages were chosen by circular random method after arranging villages in descending
order of household size in block and selected by a random start with fixed interval.

(c) Selection of Households
After selection of villages a detailed census survey was conducted in the selected village by
covering all the households having children between 3 and below 18 years of age. If
number of households in the selected village were more than 25% of the average
household size per village in the district. Following procedure was used to conduct the
survey:

A village map was drawn through transact walk or in consultation with villagers and
accordingly households will be selected through circular random method. For example, in
the selected village if number of households are twice to district average, than every
second households in the village will be selected randomly in the census survey. Finally, a
detail sample survey of the child labour was conducted after identifying the child labour in
the census survey in the village.

(d) Child Labour Sample
A detailed sample survey of child labour working in cotton field was also done after
conducting the census survey. In the sample survey randomly every second children were
selected for detail interview. In sum, a total of 16 villages were surveyed in Haryana
district with 4022 households and 764 sample children working in cotton fields (Detail
given in Appendix).

1.5. Limitations
• The survey was conducted at the peak season of cotton picking. Therefore finding
the individual at home was difficult. Some of the households were left out as
premises were found locked and we tried to cover them by visiting to the cotton
fields, which was very near to their houses but still we could not cover all of them.

• There was local language problem in the study area, so to avoid the language barrier
local field investigators were employed in the survey. Overall due to the above
limitations, we felt that about 10-15% of households were left in the survey.

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1.6. Key Informants
Anganwadi workers, ANM, Sarpanch, Block Members, people of the village, people of other
villages, school teachers and NGO workers.

1.7. Research Tools
Three survey tools or interview schedules namely village profile questionnaire, listing or
census questionnaire and sample questionnaire have been used to collect both quantitative
and qualitative information. The listing interview schedule includes basic background
information of all the household members like their marital status, education, and work
and migration status. Sample schedule covers the detailed information of on occupational
hazards, exploitation, health, abuse, child rights, protection and other work related
information of the child labourers. Further, detailed discussions were carried out with
several key informants like the village sarpanch, head master and teachers and NGOs
working in the villages to collect qualitative information on the situation of child labour.

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CHAPTER 2
VILLAGE PROFILE
The survey was conducted in 16 revenue villages in randomly selected cotton growing
blocks of three districts namely Sirsa, Hisar and Fatehabad in Haryana. This chapter gives
the profile of the villages covered in the survey. Here we discuss the basic amenities and
infrastructure available in the villages, namely drinking water, electricity, drainage
facilities, motorable roads and the type of housing. We further present the various services
available in the villages, namely that of schools, anganwadis and health centres. Further, we
discuss social protection facilities in the studied villages, namely NREGs and SHGs.

Out of total 16 studied villages in the district 12.4% (2 villages) found extremely backward
due to absence of three basic facilities of public health centre, primary school, individual
drinking water, motorable road and electricity.

2.1. Access to Basic Amenities
In the studied villages main sources of drinking water facilities are both individual (50%)
and community sources (50%). However, household survey data shows majority of the
households (84%) have tap in dwelling and only12% use community sources like public
hand pump/tube well, public tap and others for drinking water.

Table 2.1: Source of Drinking Water
Source %
Own hand pump/tube well 2.66
Public hand pump/tube well 1.54
Tap in dwelling 83.66
Own dug well 1.57
Public dug well 0.57
Public tap 9.92
Pond, river, stream 0.07
HH Surveyed 4022

Electricity is available in 93% of the studied villages and most of the households (88%) in
these villages have electric connection. About 81% of the villages have drainage facility but
villagers reported water logging problem during the rainy season due to non-maintenance
of drainage. More than three-fourth of the villages (81%) are well connected by motorable
road1 to the district headquarter.

More than half of the households in the studied villages have pucca type 2 of houses (51%)
followed by semi-pucca (30%) and katcha houses (18%). Average room per family is also

1
Tarred road suitable for use by motor vehicles
2
Pucca: Those with both roof and walls made of pucca materials such as cement, concrete, oven burnt bricks
and other such building reinforcement materials; Kutcha: Those with both roof and walls made of kutcha
(non-pucca) materials, such as mud, thatch, bamboo and tent; also includes structure with thatched walls and
thatched roof ; Semi-Pucca: Those with either roof or walls, but not both, made of pucca materials;

10

reported decent with average 2 room for katcha and semi pucca houses and 3 rooms for
pucca houses per family.

Table 2.2: Type of House and Average Number of Room
Type % Average Number of Room
Katcha 18.30 2
Semi-pucca 30.28 2
Pucca 51.42 3
Total 100.00 3
HH Survyed 4022

About 85 per cent of the household in the village have toilet facility but open defecation is
the usual practice.

2.2. Services
The literacy level is high in the studied area due to availability of government primary
schools in all the villages. Almost 70% of the studied villages have upper primary school
and 60% also have secondary schools. From other villages, where upper primary and
secondary school is not available, children travel on an average 5 kms to access such
facilities.

Vocational Training Institute are not present in the studied villages or nearby places.
Children travel about 12 kms to get vocational training like computer training at block
headquarter. In every village at least two Aganwadi centers (AWC) are located. According
to AWC workers all the centres provide supplementary nutrition and more than half (56%)
counsel pregnant mothers. About 81% of the AWCs are providing immunization facility,
health checkup and about 88% are providing pre-school education to 3-6 years old
children. Around 18% of the AWC’s worker reported referral facilities.

The villagers reported there is no discrimination in the school on the basis of caste or
gender in terms of enrollment, dropout and providing midday meals etc. Rather, one finds
that there are several schemes running in the schools in the studied villages for the
encouragement education like provision of stipends, scholarships, free text books and
uniforms. Girl children’s gets special incentives like cycles from state government.

Table 2.3: Service Provided of Anganwadi
%
Supplementary Nutrition for children 0-6 years 100.00
Immunisation of children 81.25
Pre-school education for 3-6 yrs 87.50
Health check-ups for children 81.25
Referral services for children 18.25
Counselling of pregnant, lactating mothers & adolescent girls 56.25
Total Number of Villages 16

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Around three-fourth (75%) of the studied villages have health sub-centre, and little more
than one third (38%) have primary health centre. However, villagers reported poor
services from these centres. They reported that the staffs were either absent or they were
not familiar with the standard protocols of mother and child health. The people of non-
PHC villages travel about 8.4 kms to access health services at nearest primary health
centres or visit district headquarter. Free health checks up facilities are also provided in
the schools twice a year.

2.3. Social Protection
There are women self help groups found in 63% of the studied villages with an average of 2
SHGs per village having 8-12 members in each. Around 83% of them are linked to banks
and formed under the government SGSY scheme. The National Employment Guarantee
schemes (NREGS) is operational in the studied villages for the last five years.
Approximately 35% of the households have got job under the scheme. In the scheme the
average wages reported by people is Rs 170 per day. In the studied villages, females availed
NREGS work more than males in a ratio of 66 to 40. The focus group discussions revealed
that higher female participation in NREGS resulted in higher disposable income in poor
families and they started sending their children to school. Mid day meals are provided in
the school daily. People are satisfied with the type of quality of midday meals. But
sometimes delay in the supply of ration created problem for 2-3 days.

Summary
Overall, on the positive side, majority of the villages are having drinking water facilities,
electricity available at the household level, drainage facilities, toilet facilities, motorable
roads, pucca housing, primary, upper primary and secondary schools, health sub centre
and quite well-functioning anganwadi services. Majority of the villages had SHGs which
were linked with banks and enjoyed NREGS services which paid them adequately and
helped many poor households to increase their disposable income. Further on the positive
side, are not finding any discrimination based on caste and gender with regard to the
selected indicators in majority of the villages. Instead one could find several incentivising
measures for education of under-privileged children in these villages. On the problematic
side are the absence of vocational training institutes, the non-maintenance of drainage
facilities, the non availability of primary health centres and the poor services rendered by
the health sub centres.

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CHAPTER 3
HOUSEHOLD AND CHILD PROFILE

This chapter presents the different socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the
surveyed households. Religion, caste, age-profile, literacy level, sex ratio and the average
number of children in the family of the surveyed households are presented. The activity
status of the people, especially with regard migration, employment and the type of
occupation is presented. The household income, their BPL/APL status, their female/ male
headed status and their participation in NREGS are also presented. With regard to children,
we have presented their education profile including vocational education, disability and
marriage status. We have also briefly touched upon the working status of the children.

3.1 Demography
Majority of the population in the studied villages belong to Hindu religion (94%). More
than half of them belonged to schedule caste (55%) followed by general caste (26%) and
other backward caste (17%). About 38% of the population in the studied villages is
comprised of children below 18 years of age.

Table 3.1a: Population by Gender, Social Group and Religion and
Age Group (%)
Male Female Total
Religion Hindu 94.39 93.69 94.07
Muslim 0.58 0.67 0.62
Christian 0.09 0.15 0.12
Sikh 4.94 5.49 5.19

Caste Schedule Caste 54.53 54.61 54.57
Schedule Tribe 2.14 2.53 2.32
Other Backward Caste 17.40 17.39 17.40
General 25.93 25.47 25.72
Total
Number (H) Households
Age Group upto 3 3.80 3.62 3.72
3-5 6.23 5.20 5.76
6-14 20.99 20.87 20.94
15-17 7.93 6.61 7.33
18-59 55.27 57.28 56.18
60+ 5.78 6.42 6.07
Total 100 100 100
Number (N) Household Members 10279 8504 18783
Note: The age groups given above are in completed years only; 3-5 refers as completed 3
years and upto 6 years; similarly 6-14 and 14-17 means those who are upto 18 years or below
18 years. Henceforth, this definition applies in all the tables

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The estimated population3 in the cotton growing block of the three surveyed districts in
Haryana is approximately 175 thousand with 81.5 thousand male and about 94 thousand
female in 2011. The sex ratio in the studied area is very disturbing with only 827 female
per 1000 male compared to all India 9474. It is worse among children compared to adults
due to prevailing high female foeticide and son preference.

Table 3.2: Sex Ratio by Gender and Age Group
Age Sex Ratio
upto 3 788
3-5 691
6-14 823
15-17 690
18-59 857
60+ 919
All age group 827

There is almost negligible presence of child marriage (0.66%) and only 0.87% children are
mentally or physically disabled in the studied villages. There is almost negligible
percentage of married and disable children in the studied areas. The focus group discussion
revealed that child marriages exist in weaker section but this has been reduced to some
extent due to the high awareness and literacy in the area.

Table 3.3: Children (up to 18 years) by orphans and disability, marital status
Male Female Total
Marital Status Unmarried 99.45 98.83 99.18
Married 0.55 1.17 0.82

Disability Mentally or physically disabled 0.70 0.62 0.66
Orphan 0.15 0.19 0.17
None 99.15 99.19 99.17
Total number of children 4004 3087 7091

About one-third of the children have ration-card and one-fifth have birth certificate (19%)
as the main document of age proof.

Table 3.4: Type of Age Proof (upto 18 years)
Male Female Total
Birth Certificate 19.78 18.98 19.43
Ration Card 73.88 74.38 74.09
School certificate 0.35 0.06 0.23
None 4.37 4.79 4.56
Others 1.62 1.78 1.69
N 4004 3087 7091

3.2. Education
3
Refer to appendix for detail
4
According to the Census of India, 2011

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The overall literacy rate is around 65 % in the survey areas of the people above the age of 6
years old. Among children 6-14 age group around 96% are literate with almost equally
both male and female literate. The literacy rate gap between male and female is widening
with increasing age group.

Table 3.5: Literacy Rate by Gender by age group (6 and above)
Age Group Male Female Total
6-14 95.3 95.8 95.6
15-17 93.3 92.2 92.8
6-17 94.8 95.0 94.8
18-59 68.4 39.5 55.0
60+ 25.8 3.5 15.1
Total 74.1 53.6 64.8

Around one-third of the children between 3 and upto 6 years are going to aganwadi and
pre-school. In the age group 6 to 14 years and 15-17 years about 93% and 81% are going
to school respectively. There is no significant difference between school going of girls and
boys and dropout rate in the age group of 6-14 years and 15-17 years. Although drop out
rate in 6-14 age group is low (1.17%), the rate is considerably high (11.41) in the 15-17 age
group. Also worrisome is the considerable number of never enrolled children. Nearly 5
percent and around 7 percent children are never enrolled in 6-14 age group and 15-17 age
groups respectively. Older children (15-17 years) compared to young ones (6-14 years)
due to various economic and familial reasons.

Table 3.6: Educational Profile of 3 and upto 17 years old Children
Age Group Male Female Total
3-5 Not Going to School 63.59 69.68 66.08
Going to school but irregular 0.47 0.90 0.65
Going to school regularly 35.94 29.41 33.27
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00
(N) 3-5 years 640 442 1082
6-14 Never enrolled 4.64 4.17 4.43
Drop Out 1.11 1.24 1.17
(N) 6-14 years 2157 1775 3932
15-17 Never enrolled 6.38 7.87 7.00
Drop Out 11.01 11.99 11.41
(N) 15-17 years 799 559 1358

Some of the main reasons of drop out or not attending reported were parent’s disapproval,
family cannot afford, no interest or aptitude and got job/work. The focus group discussion
also revealed that children left school to take care of livestock as parents work on the fields
from morning to evening. They told that mostly young girls are forced to drop the school to
take care of their younger siblings. Parent’s disapproval is mainly because of disputes

15

between the parents. The male member in the studied areas consumes alcohol and ill-
treats his wife; to get rid of the domestic violence, wife normally goes to her parental home
along with her child resulting in child dropping out or being irregular in study.

Table 3.9: Reasons of not attending or dropped out in 6-17 year of age
Male Female Total
Required for care of young siblings 0.00 5.80 2.55
No aptitude/Not interested 25.10 23.19 24.26
Can not afford 28.90 24.64 27.02
Parents disapprove of school 26.62 36.71 31.06
Not safe to send girls 0.00 0.48 0.21
Mentally/physically disable 0.00 0.00 0.00
Fear of punishment by teachers 0.00 0.00 0.00
Got job/work 19.39 9.18 14.89
Young 0.00 0.00 0.00
N 263 207 470

If we see the classes of dropped out, it is more than half of the children left out school upto
primary level education (class 5th) followed by completing secondary (class 10 th) and
seventh standard. The informal discussion with villagers revealed that large number of
children left schooling after completing primary or secondary education due to various
reasons as discussed above.

Table 3.9a: Class of dropped out School of 6-17 children

Class N %
2 22 10.95
3 7 3.48
4 21 10.45
5 59 29.35
6 18 8.96
7 23 11.44
8 18 8.96
9 4 1.99
10 24 11.94
12 5 2.49
Total 201 100

Those who are attending the school, across age groups, majority of them are studying in
government schools. The proportion of children attending government schools gets even
higher as we move on to higher age- groups. More than one-fourth of the children are
going to private school in the age-group of 3 - 6 years indicating presence of private schools
in the area. The detailed discussion revealed that some private English medium schools
have opened up in the areas during the last few years and children from well-off families
are going to such schools.

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Table 3.7: Type of School Attending
Age Group Type of School Male Female Total
3-5 Government school 68.67 76.87 71.66
Private School 31.33 23.13 28.34
(N) 3-5 years 233 134 367
6-14 Government school 80.67 84.10 82.22
(N) 6-14 years 2033 1679 3712
15-17 Government School 86.52 87.50 86.91
(N) 15-17 years 660 448 1108

Vocational education is not available in the villages and very few of the children go to the
district headquarters to avail the facility. Thus, only 0.24% of the children have received
some vocational training5 and not a single child reported receiving life skills training.

Table 3.10: Vocational Training and life skills training (6-17)
Male Female Total
0.24 0.04 0.15 0.24
99.76 99.96 99.85 99.76
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00
(N) 6-17 years 2973 2337 5310

3.3. Activity Status and Occupation
According to main activity status, about half of the people in the working age (18-59
years) group and quarter (25%) of old age people (60+) are working in the studied areas. If
we take both main and subsidiary status workers, around 80% of working age and one
third of the old age people are working. There is huge difference between work
participation of male and female as only 4% are involved primarily in some economic
activity compared to 59% male. Among children around one tenth of the total (6-17 age
group children are mainly working.

Table 3.11a: Work Participation Rate by Gender and
Age group (6+)
Age Male Female Person Male Female Person
Group Main Main & Subsidiary
6-14 2.20 0.40 1.39 14.54 15.54 14.99
15-17 16.81 1.42 10.53 42.70 39.15 41.25
18-59 88.14 5.58 50.03 92.13 66.74 80.41
60+ 44.11 3.30 24.56 47.98 19.23 34.21
Total 59.13 3.94 33.94 66.98 49.73 59.11

However, when we combined main and subsidiary status around 50% female are working
compared to 69% female and more than half of the children are working. Thus, one can
conclude that majority of female and children are working in the subsidiary status.

5
Vocational training includes typing, computer hardware or software training, carpenter and motor mechanic etc.

17

The highest proportions of working members are involved in casual wage labour (21%),
followed by self employment (8%) and regular work (2%). In non-workers, around one
third are students (31%), more than one-fourth are (27%) involved in domestic work and
11% are too young or old retired people. The difference between male and female main
workers can be explained as more than half of the women are involved in domestic work
and one-fourth in studies.

Table 3.12: Activity Status of All Household Members
Male Female Total
Employer 0.11 0.06 0.09
Own account worker (self-employed) 13.45 0.59 7.63
Regular wage (salaried) 2.77 0.46 1.72
Casual wage labour 36.68 2.48 21.19
Attached wage labour 0.02 0.00 0.01
Unpaid family labour 0.02 0.00 0.01
Domestic work 1.87 56.81 26.74
Student 32.64 28.75 30.88
Retired/pensioner/ too old 3.31 3.13 3.23
Unemployed 0.39 0.01 0.22
Unable to work because of mental or physical disability 0.53 0.19 0.37
Young 8.22 7.53 7.91
Total Household members (N) 10279 8504 18783

Among workers, more than half (54.81%) are involved in cultivation of other agriculture
crops and about one-fourth (25.32%) are doing cotton cultivation followed by
construction. The proportion of females in cotton cultivation is substantially higher than
males workers. As villagers reported some male workers go to other villages and district
headquarter for higher remunerative work in agriculture, construction and transport etc.

Table 3.13: Main Occupation of Household Working Members (all age groups) (%)
Male Female Total
Cultivation of other crops 55.95 34.53 54.81
Cultivation of Cotton 24.51 39.74 25.32
Construction 7.8 6.84 7.75
Transport worker 1.87 1.63 1.86
Personal Services 1.65 0.65 1.60
Lower level administrative work 1.47 2.61 1.53
Teaching 0.94 2.93 1.04
Brick Making 0.79 0.00 0.75
Repair Mechanic 0.39 0.65 0.40
Skilled Artisans 0.39 0.00 0.36
Animal Husbandry 0.26 0.98 0.3
Fisheries 0.11 3.26 0.28
Others* 3.92 6.19 4.00
Main Workers 5459 308 5767
*Traditional Artisans, Agro- Processing, Hotel/ Dhaba/ Restaurant/ Tea Stall, Higher professional and technical
services, Security workers, Sales worker etc

18

Around one third of the household are involved in National Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme. The average days of work per household in NREGS are only 48 days, which are
substantially lower as per norm of 100 days.

Table 3.14: Participation in NREGS along with no of days of employment
Type %
Yes 35.10
No 64.90
Total 100.00
Average Number of Days per HH 48

3.4. Family Status and Income
According to the ration card type around 42% of the total households have Below Poverty
Level (BPL)6 status. The household reported their average monthly income and about
80% of them have more than Rs 8000 per capita monthly income.

Table 3.16: Distribution of Household by Income level
Per Capita HH Income %
Upto 8000 19.97
8001-9600 20.19
9601-12000 23.89
12001-17200 15.54
17200+ 20.41
Number of HH 4022

About 9.52% household are female headed households. The average household size is 5 per
family with almost one male and female child per household in the studied village.

2.4. Migration and Livelihood
The out-migration is almost negligible in the studied areas due to sufficient work available
within the villages or nearby areas. Only older children migrate to cities or other state for
study purposes. However, people in-migrate for agriculture labour from Bihar and Uttar
Pradesh and few in cotton cultivation from Rajasthan.

Table 3.18: Migration Status (All household Members)
Male Female Total
Resident 99.70 99.80 99.74
In migrant 0.18 0.09 0.14
Out Migrant 0.12 0.11 0.11
N 10279 8504 18783

6
The households identified by a defined economic criteria by the government and given the below poverty line and
above poverty line status, accordingly a ratio cards called BPL for below poverty line households and APL for
above poverty line households is given.

19

Summary
On the whole, the socio- economic and demographic profile of the families does not give as
positive a picture as we saw with regard to the availability of basic amenities. On the
positive side are negligible proportion of child marriages and disability of children. High
levels of literacy with not much gender gap in the 6-14 age group is another positive facet
of development. Majority of the houses are having APL status and their per capita monthly
income is above Rs. 8000. However there are several worrisome aspects as listed below.

One, is the disturbing sex ratio, which is higher among children indicating the possibility of
female foeticide and son preference. The number of children in the family is also high.
Although the proportion of school going children are considerably high, it is still of concern
that there is a notable proportion of children who have never been enrolled, even in a
prosperous state like Haryana. Of concern is also the considerable proportion (1.5 percent)
of children engaged as main workers even in the young age group of 6- 14 years. This
proportion goes quite high (15 percent) if one considers their status as subsidiary workers.
The proportion of child labour as main workers and subsidiary workers are even higher in
the 15-17 age group. There is also the worrisome aspect of low participation of women in
the work force. Although NREGS operates in most villages and the wages paid are high, as
noted in the previous chapter, the days of employment provided is far less than the norm.

20

CHAPTER 4
CHILD LABOUR

The previous chapter had given the proportion of working people in the surveyed
households including children. In this chapter, we focus only on child labour and present
the different characteristics of their employment. We also present the details of migration
of the working children. In the study area about 36% of the household were found having
at least one working child. Eighteen percent of households had atleast one child, working in
cotton fields. Family members stated that they are sending their children for work due to
poor economic conditions and easy availability of work. They also think that if more hands
will work they have more income at their hand.

4.1 Working Children
Around 4% of the total children in the age groups of 6-18 and 1.4% of children in the age
group of 6-14 years and 10.53% children in the age group of 15-18 years are working as a
main worker in the cotton growing areas in Haryana. About every fifth child in the age
group of 6-18 years are working as both main and subsidiary worker.

Table 4.1a: Working Children by Gender and Age group
Male Female Persons
6-14 15-17 6-17 6-14 15-17 6-17 6-14 15-17 6-17
Worker Main7 2.18 16.81 6.19 0.39 1.42 0.64 1.37 10.53 3.75
All(Main & Subsidiary8) 14.97 49.57 24.45 15.55 40.04 21.44 15.23 45.68 23.13
All Children (N) 2158 815 2973 1775 562 2337 3933 1377 5310

An estimated number of eighteen thousand seven hundred children are working as main
workers with 13,511 in the age group of 15-18 years and 5,092 in the age group of 6-14
years. Total around 114 thousand four hundred estimated children are working as both
main and subsidiary workers with 58 thousand in the age group of 15-18 years and 56
thousand in the age group 6-14 years in cotton growing areas in three districts.

Table 4.1a: Estimated Number 9of Working Children by Gender and Age group in three Cotton Growing
Districts
Male Female Person
6-14 15-17 6-17 6-14 15-17 6-17 6-14 15-17 6-17
Worker Main 4,290 12,505 16,795 672 768 1,439 4,962 13,272 18,234
(Main and Subsidiary) 29,482 36,875 66,357 26,481 21,588 48,069 55,963 58,463 114,426

7
Main workers are those who involved in any economic activity in a longer period, i.e. more than 180 days during
the last 365 days from the date of interview.
8
Subsidiary worker, those who are mainly non-workers but involved in some economic activity in a shorter
duration, i.e. at least 30 days during the last year , 365 days,
9
For estimation please refer to annexure

21

4.2. Status and Occupation
Out of total 6 to 18 years of age children main activity status is students (94.21%) and
domestic workers (2.22%). Only few children have main activity as worker in casual and
self employment activity.

Table 4.2b: Main Activity Status of Children 6 and upto 18
Male Female Person
6-14 15-18 Total 6-14 15-18 Total 6-14 15-18 Total
O
wn account worker 0.28 1.60 0.00 0.18 0.38 0.15 1.02 0.28 0.28
(self-employed) 10
Casual wage labour 11 1.90 15.21 0.39 1.25 3.37 1.22 9.51 2.63 1.90
Domestic work 2.22 1.96 4.45 18.86 4.69 3.23 8.86 4.63 2.22
Student 94.21 80.98 94.48 79.36 90.70 94.33 80.32 91.64 94.21
Unable to work because 0.19 0.25 0.00 0.36 0.15 0.10 0.29 0.11 0.19
of mental or physical
disability
Other 1.20 0.00 0.68 0.00 0.72 0.97 0.00 0.71 1.20
(N) 2158 815 2973 1775 562 2337 3933 1377 5310

Majority of working children are involved in cultivation of cotton (47%), followed by
cultivation in agriculture (26%) and construction (9%) and brick making (12%) and
animal husbandry (6%).

Table 4.3a: Occupation Main
Male Female Person
Cultivation of Cotton 46.81 36.50 85.71 62.50 41.71 51.85 37.93 43.20 46.81
Cultivation of other crops 25.53 43.80 14.29 37.50 38.19 24.07 43.45 37.38 25.53
Animal Husbandry 6.38 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.51 5.56 0.00 1.46 6.38
Repair Mechanic 0.00 2.19 0.00 0.00 1.51 0.00 2.07 1.46 0.00
Transport worker 0.00 1.46 0.00 0.00 1.01 0.00 1.38 0.97 0.00
Construction 8.51 9.49 0.00 0.00 8.54 7.41 8.97 8.25 8.51
Brick Making 12.77 2.92 0.00 0.00 5.03 11.11 2.76 4.85 12.77
Others 0.00 3.65 0.00 0.00 2.51 0.00 3.45 2.43 0.00
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

In the subsidiary status, majority of working children are involved in cultivation of cotton
(92%) and other agriculture crops (7.46).

O

10
Self Employed workers are those who work in their own farm or enterprises as a helper, supervisor or
main worker
11
Casual workers are those who works as a labour in farm or non-farm activity and paid on a daily basis or
piece rate basis; the casual work also not available regularly

22

Table 4.3b: Occupation Subsidiary
Occupation Male Female Person
Cultivation of Cotton 92.45 93.26 94.44 88.02 92.25 93.43 90.91 92.70 92.45
Cultivation of other crops 6.47 6.74 5.56 11.98 7.46 6.02 9.09 7.07 6.47
Construction 0.36 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.18 0.00 0.08 0.36
Others 0.72 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.19 0.36 0.00 0.15 0.72
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

Around one-fifth of the total children are working in cotton fields with equal proportion of
male and female children. The participation of elder children (15 to upto 18) in cotton is
around three times higher than younger children.

Table 4.3d: Proportion of Working Children in Cotton
Age Group % Sample Number(N)
Male Female Total Male Female Total
6-14 Main 1.02 0.34 0.71 22 6 28
All (Main& Sub) 12.93 14.70 13.73 279 261 540
15-17 Main 6.13 0.89 3.99 50 5 55
All (Main& Sub) 36.69 34.88 35.95 299 196 495
All Main 2.42 0.47 1.56 72 11 83
All (Main& Sub) 19.44 19.55 19.49 578 457 1035

There is very low migration reported in the studied areas. Only few children are both
migrating to other states and coming from other state for work.

Table 4.4: Migration Status
Status Male Female All
Resident 99.77 99.75 99.83 100.00 99.81 99.80 99.85 99.82 99.77
In migrant 0.19 0.25 0.11 0.00 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.19
Out Migrant 0.05 0.00 0.06 0.00 0.04 0.05 0.00 0.04 0.05
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

Summary
High prevalence of child labour was found with 18 percent of households reporting child
labour in cotton fields. Although there is considerable proportion of children even as the
main workers in the 15- 17 years age group, many children’s work is of a subsidiary nature.
About one-fifth of children are working, when one considers both main and subsidiary
category workers. Majority of children worked in cotton cultivation, Very few working
children had to migrate for their work since adequate opportunities for work existed in
their native villages itself.

23

CHAPTER 5
CHILDREN IN COTTON WORK

This chapter specifically examines child labour in cotton fields. We have examined several
aspects of their work. We have looked into their working conditions including the hours of
work, the wages, mode and frequency of payment, using of protective clothes, medical
coverage for sickness, first aid arrangement for accidents, supervision at work and issues of
exploitation and abuse. We have further looked into the health and habits of these
children. Children’s own perceptions regarding the work, namely whether they like doing
this work, how dangerous they find this work and whether they would recommend this
work to any one, are also looked into. The analysis has been done of four age groups (6-8
years; 9-11 years; 12-14 years and 15 and upto 18 years) children to understand their
problem in detail. In the sample survey total 684 child workers were interviewed with
highest number from the elder children (15-17 years) and lowest from younger ones (6-8
years).

Sample distribution
Age-Group N %
6-8 19 2.78
9-11 102 14.91
12-14 241 35.23
15-17 322 47.08
Total 684 100.00

Majority of the children in the age group of 6-18 years worked in plucking of cotton for 80
to 90 days during the season (October-December) and few of them also work in cultivation
of other agricultural crops like wheat, bajra, jowar etc. In the studied areas mostly local
workers work in the cotton fields. Few of them also comes from other state like Rajasthan,
UP and Bihar. However, migrant workers work mainly in cultivation of other agricultural
crops. In cotton, few families also comes from Rajasthan and stay for 1- 2 months during
harvesting of crops and plucking of cotton. According to the local people their number is
just around 2-3% of the total workers.

5.1. Health and Habits
Only 2% of the working children in cotton fields of age group 16 to below 18 years of age
reported suffering from any chronic illness. Only Asthma was reported.

Table 5.1: Child Worker Reported Suffering from Chronic Illness by Age Group
6-8 9-11 12-14 15-17 Total
Yes 0.00 2.94 1.66 2.48 2.19
No 100.00 97.06 98.34 97.52 97.81
N 19 102 241 322 684

24

About 2% of child worker above the age of 9 years informed us about consuming
intoxicants in the form of smoking and chewing tobacco.

Table 5.2: Child Worker Reported Consuming Any Intoxicants by Age Group
6-8 9-11 12-14 15-17 Total
Yes 0.00 2.94 1.66 1.86 1.90
No 100.00 97.06 98.34 98.14 98.10
N 19 102 241 322 684

Majority of child worker consume 3 meals in a day (66%) and rest consume 2 meals per
day. Only 9% informed reported about taking additional nutritional supplements in the
form of milk, juice and nutritional food.

5.2. Work and Working Conditions

More than three-fourth of child workers had started work before completing the age of 14
years. More than one-third of the elder working children (15-17 year of age) stopped
schooling and started work, which complements with our earlier finding of higher drop
outs among elder children. One-fifth of the child workers in the age groups 9-11 and 12-14
years also reported dropping from schools to start work due to poor economic conditions
of family.

Table 5.4: Age at Work Started and Stopped going to School to start work by Age Group
Age Group 6-8 9-11 12-14 15-18 Total
Work Started 2.88 23.00 51.75 22.37 100.00
Stopped Going to Yes 15.79 20.59 20.75 34.47 27.05
school No 63.16 68.63 70.12 55.59 62.87
Not Attended 21.05 10.78 9.13 9.94 10.09
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
N 19 102 241 322 684

More than one-fourth of them left school (27%) to start work and were put into work by
their parents (77%) and self (22%). They started work due to their low family income their
families (65%) also wanted them to work (31%).

25

Table 5.5: Who put them to work for the first time by Age Group
Who put them to work 6-8 9-11 12-14 15-18 Total
Parents 78.95 76.47 78.42 76.71 77.34
Relative 0.00 0.98 1.66 0.93 1.17
Self 21.05 22.55 19.92 22.36 21.49
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
N 19 102 241 322 684
Reason for to start work
Parents had debt 10.53 0.98 0.41 1.86 1.46
Family income low 68.42 61.76 69.71 63.04 65.35
Not interested in study 0.00 1.96 0.41 1.55 1.17
Family wanted me to work 15.79 34.31 29.05 33.23 31.43
Others 5.26 0.98 0.41 0.31 0.58
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
N 19 102 241 322 684

On an average children have been working in the cotton fields for the last 27 months. They
work on an average around average 8 hours per day in the cotton fields 4 days in a week.
However, the range of hours of work varies from 2 hours daily to 13 hours. The younger
children worked on average lesser number of hours compared to elder children.

Table 5.7: Average Hours per Week by Age Group
Hour 6-8 9-11 12-14 15-18 Total
2 0.00 2.94 1.66 0.62 1.32
3 0.00 0.00 1.24 0.00 0.44
4 0.00 3.92 2.90 4.66 3.80
5 15.79 15.69 16.18 12.11 14.18
6 10.53 6.86 8.30 6.83 7.46
7 21.05 11.76 15.77 15.53 15.20
8 26.32 31.37 22.82 25.78 25.58
9 0.00 0.00 1.24 0.93 0.88
10 26.32 22.55 23.65 19.57 21.64
11 0.00 0.00 0.41 0.93 0.58
12 0.00 4.90 5.81 12.42 8.63
13 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.62 0.29
N 19 102 241 322 684
Average 7.63 7.59 7.64 8.08 7.84

26

Most of the children were engaged in own household work and other agriculture and allied
work like livestock apart from cotton work during the last 12 months.

Table 5.8: Other Work last year by Age Group
Other Type of Work 6-8 9-11 12-14 15-18 Total
Own HH work 58.82 70.13 64.43 59.14 62.57
Other agriculture 29.41 23.38 23.20 26.46 24.95
Looking for livestock 11.76 6.49 12.37 14.01 12.29
Small Shop 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.39 0.18
N 19 102 241 322 684

The payment was done on the basis of quantity of cotton plucked at the rate of Rs. 4 to 6
per kg. Whether it is being done by the local or migrant labour, both gets the same wages.
Wage rate in cotton picking is Rs 400-600 per 100 kg and around 150 Rs per day in other
season. Around 67% of children were paid on a daily basis and 25% on the piece rate basis
depending upon the work as stated above. At the time of cotton picking, payment was made
to the whole family involved in the cotton picking on the basis of amount of cotton picked
up the whole day. The payment was received by parents during the picking season (45%)
and by self in other seasons. However, the higher proportion of elder children reported
received their payment by self compared to younger children.

Table 5.9: Basis of Payment by Age Group
Basis 6-8 9-11 12-14 15-18 Total
Piece rate basis 21.05 36.27 22.82 22.67 24.71
Daily basis 63.16 55.88 66.39 70.19 66.52
Weekly basis 5.26 5.88 9.54 5.59 7.02
Monthly basis 10.53 0.00 1.24 1.55 1.46
Others 0.00 1.96 0.00 0.00 0.29
N 19 102 241 322 684
Who Receive their Payment
Parents 47.37 51.96 49.38 39.75 45.18
Relatives 5.26 3.92 0.83 0.93 1.46
Self 47.37 44.12 49.38 59.32 53.22
Others 0.00 0.00 0.41 0.00 0.15
N 19 102 241 322 684

Majority of child workers handed over their income to the parents or family members.
About 11% reported using for purchase food and 3% for payment of school fee and book,
informs etc.

27

Table 5.12: Use of income
Frequency 6-8 9-11 12-14 15-18 Total
Pay rent 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.62 0.29
School fees 5.26 0.98 2.07 2.80 2.34
Books, uniforms, etc 0.00 1.96 0.00 0.62 0.58
Give to parents/ family 84.21 89.22 85.06 82.61 84.50
Pay employer (dues) 0.00 0.00 0.41 0.31 0.29
Food 10.53 7.84 12.03 12.11 11.40
Others 0.00 0.00 0.41 0.93 0.58
N 19 102 241 322 684

1.3. Occupational Safety and Health

Only 1% of child worker perceived that working in cotton field is dangerous for their
health. Most of them (84%) wear some protection during the work. They wear face mask,
cloth cover and gloves to protect themselves.

Table 5.15: The work is Dangerous for your health by Age Group
6-8 9-11 12-14 15-18 Total
Yes 5.26 1.96 0.41 0.31 0.73
No 94.74 98.04 99.59 99.69 99.27
N 19 102 241 322 684
Type of Protection
Face mask 0.0 18.2 11.8 17.9 15.9
Gloves 0.0 36.4 17.6 15.4 18.8
Goggles 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6 1.4
Cloth Cover 50.0 45.5 70.6 64.1 62.3
Face mask+cloth cover 50.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4
N 5 60 190 320 575

A very few child workers (2%) stated about having some on-site first aid arrangement
during the work. That is mainly some medicine for fevers and headache. About 2% of the
child workers stated about having some on-site first aid arrangement during the work. All
the working children go for open defecation and reported no toilet facility at the work site.
Some of them (3%) fell sick as a result of work in the cotton field during the last 3 months
with an average 15 days of sickness. About 90% of them consulted with local traditional
healer and medical expenses were paid by themselves and their parents. However, the
statement can not be generalised due to very few number of reported cases.

28

Table 5.17: On-site first aid arrangement during the work by employer by Age Group
6-8 9-11 12-14 15-18 Total
Yes 0.00 1.96 1.66 1.55 1.61
No 100.00 98.04 98.34 98.45 98.39
N 19 102 241 322 684

There is no supervision of work in cotton fields. The owner only visit two times in a day,
once in the morning, to tell them about the work and another in the evening to pay them
wages on the basis of work done during the day.

1.4. Exploitation and Abuse
There is no exploitation or abuse reported at the workplace. About 52% of the working
children stated that they liked the work.

1.5. Child Perceptions
About 60% of the working children stated that they liked the work and 26% said about no
other option available.

Table 5.21: Working Children like his/her work by Age Group
6-8 9-11 12-14 15-18 Total
Yes 42.11 54.90 52.70 50.93 51.90
No 5.26 3.92 4.15 4.97 4.53
No option 52.63 41.18 43.15 44.10 43.57
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
N 19 102 241 322 684

They like the work as they are able to provide monetary support to their families and
themselves. Majority of those who did not like their work, disliked it due to work hazards
and disliking of employer. About one third of child workers reported not liking the cotton
work due to their inability to attend school and because it is too tiring.

Table 5.22: Reason of liking and not liking his/her work by Age Group
Like Work 6-8 9-11 12-14 15-18 Total
Support family 62.50 61.82 55.20 60.49 58.86
Earn money for school 0.00 9.09 4.80 4.94 5.43
Earn money for food 37.50 29.09 40.00 34.57 35.71
N 8 56 127 164 355
Not like work
Can not attend school 0.00 0.00 22.22 43.75 30.00
Not like the cotton work 0.00 50.00 22.22 12.50 20.00
Too tired to work 100.00 25.00 44.44 25.00 33.33
Paid less 0.00 25.00 11.11 18.75 16.67
N 1 4 10 16 31

29

About 43% of the working children recommended this job to their brother/sister or
friends. However, most of the children in the areas worked in cotton fields with their
parents and other family members.

Table 5.24: Recommended this job to others family member and relative by Age Group
6-8 9-11 12-14 15-18 Total
Yes 52.63 40.20 43.98 42.55 42.98
No 0.00 4.90 6.64 5.90 5.85
Can.t say 47.37 54.90 49.38 51.55 51.17
N 19 102 241 322 684

4.4. Government Efforts
Haryana State has prepared a 'State Plan of Action' for the children which is a very
comprehensive document encompassing the various critical areas like health , nutrition ,
education and environment with issues like girl child, child labour and children especially
in difficult circumstances.

A 'Child Labour Cell' at headquarters has been constituted to pay special attention towards
elimination of Child labour. The Cell is headed by a Joint Labour Commissioner. Moreover,
the necessary directions have been issued to the Inspectorate staff to ensure that working
hours of such children do not exceed six hours. The other State Government departments
which are involved in the task of rehabilitation of Child labour are Health, Education and
Social Welfare departments.

The Health department has been instructed to get the Child Labour medically examined
and issue health cards in the districts. The Project Director, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and
Director, Primary Education have also been requested to enroll the Child labour in schools.
The Child labour who were found in non-hazardous occupations are also being got enrolled
in the primary schools and non-formal education centres. Efforts are being made to start
special projects of informal education for these children.

The meetings of various Associations of the employers are also held at the level of senior
functionaries of the Labour Department to educate and advise them not to employ Child
Labour in their establishments. As reported by the local school teachers that the
government have initiated awareness campaign through them. They not only aware the
parents but also ask the children to attend school regularly. Because of this efforts lot of
children who were working stopped work and attending the classes and some other work
after attending school.

Summary
Many children, although not the majority had stopped going to school to start work. Long
hours of work, over and above the acceptable hours of work were the plight for many.
There was neither first aid nor any toilet facility in the work site. Supervision was also not
found. Despite the above mentioned government efforts that considerable children are
working in the cotton fields for long working hours should be noted.

30

Of relief are findings of low levels of illness reported from work . However, short term
respite from ailments does not rule out the long run implications of being exposed to
pesticides for long hours. Again of relief is the finding that children use protective clothes.
However, how adequate are they in actually protecting children is not known. No body
reported instances of exploitation or abuse, probably because they were working with
other family members. On the positive side, very low numbers of children are found getting
into bad habits of consuming intoxicants. Majority are able to have regular meals, although
very few reported taking nutritional supplements. Majority of children themselves received
payment and handed it over to their parents. Majority of the children also reported that
they liked their work given that it was enabling them to contribute to their families and did
not find the work posing danger to their health.

31

Chapter 5
Summing Up

The baseline study indicates very high presence of child labour is the study areas. About
every third households have at least one child labour and one fifth working in cotton.

• The following are the major key points emerged from the study:

• Agriculture is the main source of income in the survey areas with wheat and cotton
being the major crops. Majority of the workers are involved in as farm labour in
fields of landlords in the villages. Children constitute a significant proportion of the
labour force in cotton cultivation.

• The sex ratio in the studied area is very disturbing like in the state with only 827
female per 1000 male compared to all India 947.

• Almost all the studied village have basic infrastructure like motorable road, electric
connection, drainage facility and residing in pucca and semi pucca houses. Access to
primary school is not a major challenge for children as in all the village government
primary school is available.

• Out of total children between the age group of 3 and 18 years about 81% are
currently enrolled in school and going regularly, 15% never enrolled and about 3%
dropped out of the school.

• The main reasons of children dropping out or not attending school reported
disapproval of parents, not interested and family can not afford. About 6% also
stated that they got the job or work and left the school. In low income families
children compel to work because of their livelihood and survival.

• There is no nearby vocational training institute available in the villages; children
travel about 12 kms to get such training.

• About three-fourth of the studied villages have health sub-centre, and little more
than one third (38%) have primary health centre. However, in these sub-centres
have poor services with staff either being absent or not familiar with the standard
protocols of mother and child health. The people of other villages travel about 8.4
kms to access health services at nearest primary health centres or visit to district
headquarter.

• About one-third of the children have ration-card and one-fifth have birth certificate
(19%) as the main document of age proof. The increasing rate of birth registration
in the area shows a healthy sign as reported more female accessing public hospital
and delivery hut made under the government BRGF scheme for child delivery.

32

• Approximately 35% of the households have got job under the NREGS scheme. In the
scheme the average wages reported by people is Rs 170 per day. In the studied
village female availed NREGS work more than male in a ratio of 66 to 40. This is
instrumental to higher participation of schooling of children from poor families.

• About every fifth child in the age group of 6-18 years are working as both main and
subsidiary worker.

• Total around 108 thousand two hundred estimated children are working as both
main and subsidiary workers with 59,922 in the age group of 15-18 years and
55,068 in the age group 6-14 years cotton growing blocks in three districts.

• Majority of working children are involved in cultivation of cotton (47%), followed
by cultivation in agriculture (26%) and construction (9%) and brick making (12%)
and animal husbandry (6%).

• Around 90 thousand children are working in cotton fields with 44 thousand female
and 53 thousand male children in the studied area.

• Children are mainly involved in cotton picking activity that normally takes 8 hours a
day for 80 to 90 days during the cotton picking season (October-December).

• About 78% of child workers have started working in the age group of 11 to 17 years.
About more than half of them left school (63%) to start work and were put into
work by their parents (77%) and self (22%). They started work due to their low
family income their families (65%) also wanted them to work.

• On average children have been working in the cotton fields for the last 27 months.
They work on an average 5-10 hours per day in the cotton fields 4 days in a week.
Most of the children were engaged in other agriculture (63%) and construction
(25%), apart from cotton work during the last 12 months.

• Wage rate in cotton picking is Rs 400-600 per 100 kg and around 150 Rs per day in
other season. At the time of cotton picking payment is made to the whole family
involved in the cotton picking on the basis of amount of cotton picked up the whole
day.

• The children are handed over to their 97% income to his/her families. However, at
the time of cotton picking payment is made to the whole family involved in the
cotton picking on the basis of amount of cotton picked up the whole day. Physical
and psychological abuse against the children is not reported in the area.

• There is no supervision of work in cotton fields. The owner only visit two times in a
day, once in the morning, to tell them about the work and another in the evening to
pay them wages on the basis of work done during the day.

33

• The children are exploited by in the cotton picking season they go to school as well
as work in cotton fields. The money that children earn is mostly handed over to the
parents or head of the family leaving the children to feel economically exploited.
Most of the children from poor families are going to school and after school working
in the cotton fields.

• About 52% of the working children stated that they liked the work. Majority of them
(42%) reported that they have to support to their families. They like the work as
they are able to provide monetary support to their families and themselves.

• About one-third of the working children also reported did not like the work due to
not able to attend school and job is physically tiring, low payment and do not want
to work.

• The finding of the study indicates gross negligence of children’s rights. To address
these issues simultaneous interventions are needed both at micro and macro levels.
At micro level there is a dire need to establish effective community based child
rights and protection mechanism though meaningful participation of community
members including children.

• It is equally critical to empower civil society, government and other stakeholder to
fulfil their responsibilities towards providing a protective and enabling
environment to children. At the macro level, effective advocacy efforts are required
with government to implement policies, laws and procedures to deliver their
commitment. Government of Haryana has taken several steps in this direction like
children can not work more than eight hours, health facilities to working children
and bring them back to schools. But these efforts are done for only working children
in hazards occupations.

34

Annexure 1

a). Calculation of Number of Household
Since objective of the survey is to estimate the incidence of child labour in cotton growing
regions, a fairly representative sample of households is absolutely necessary for each
district in the region. For the calculation of desired sample size, we need incidence of child
labour in cotton at the regional level. In absence of data on incidence of child labour in
cotton field at regional level, we have used a proxy variable incidence of child labour
households at the regional level from National Sample Survey, 2007-08. According to NSS
estimates, around 7% households in Haryana were found having child labour. Hence,
desired number of households for each district would be calculated at 95% confidence
interval with 10% standard error or standard deviation by the following formula:
N=z2p (1-p)/d2

Where, N=the desired sample size; z= confidence level; p=the proportion of child labour
households; d=standard error or deviation

At regional level households required to survey are approximately 5000 in Haryana region.
To get an idea of number of villages to be covered average household size of Haryana, i.e
376 is used. Which comes around 16 villages in Haryana region needs to be covered.
Further, the number of villages required to be surveyed in each selected districts of the
region is distributed in proportion of district to total regional population from Census.

Table 1: Number of Village
State District Village HH
Haryana Hisar 7 2000
Sirsa 5 1500
Fatehabad 4 1517

b). Estimation of Child Worker in Three Cotton Growing District in Haryana
The district wise population for rural and urban is available from census of India, 2011. But
the population by block wise for 2011 is not released yet. Thus, we have used compound
growth rate of district population between 2001 and 2011 to calculate estimated
population of the cotton growing blocks in each district in 2011. The blocks population of
2001 is available from census 2001. The estimated population of the cotton growing blocks
in 2011 was derived by using the formula A=A1*[(1+R/100) ^(n)], where A1 is the
population on March 2001; R is the rate of growth of district rural population and A is
estimated population of four blocks and n is time period. The estimated population of
cotton growing blocks in each district is combined to make an aggregate estimation of child
labour in cotton growing areas and child labour in cotton fields. Total estimated population
of cotton growing blocks in three district of Haryana is following:

35

Table 2. Estimated Population of Cotton Growing Blocks
Total Selected Villages Estimated
Cotton Blocks population,
Growing 2011
Hisar 5 3 7 699,469
Fatehabad 4 2 5 533,187
Sirsa 4 2 4 521,486
Total population of cotton region 13 7 16 1,754,142

The age wise population distribution has been calculated by using the age proportion of the
studied villages in our census survey. First male and female proportion by age was
calculated and added to make total persons. The following is the estimated population age
wise.
Table 3: Age-wise estimated population in 2011
Male Female Total
0-2 35,688 29,552 65,280
3-5 58,416 42,408 101,048
6-14 196,971 170,305 367,302
15-17 74,389 53,922 128,598
18-59 518,532 467,355 985,450
59+ 54,217 52,387 106,464
Total 938,213 815,929 1,754,142

Further, child labour proportion was used to get the estimated number of child labour age
wise.

Table 4: District and Block Wise List of Villages

District Block Village
Hisar Adampur Telanwali
Kishan Garh
Modakhera
Agroha Durjan pur
Kale Ravan
Hisar II Ralwas Kalan
Dobhi
Fatehaba Bhattu Kalan Dhabi khurd
d
Ban Mandori
Fatehabad Gilakhda
Dariyapur
Sirsa Nathu Ram Chopta Ali Mohammad
Makhosurani
Mochiwali
Odhan Odhan
Jagmalwali

36

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