GUWAHATI, June 15 - In its attempt to create awareness about the condition of domestic workers and the rights of children of domestic workers, the Centre for Development Initiatives (CDI), Guwahati organised a week-long programme that will conclude on Sunday.
The CDI is an NGO working for the rights, dignity and solidarity of domestic workers and workers of other unorganised sectors, creating awareness about their rights as well as engaging in advocacies at different levels, demanding comprehensive legislation to ensure social and economic security of domestic workers.
The week-long programme that started on June 10 included events on World Day Against Child Labour. More than 200 children of domestic workers took part in the event held in Guwahati�s Parish Community, Rukminigaon on June 12.
Highlighting the theme, CDI director Sister Rose Paite said children should not work on fields, but on dreams. �In our context, children should not be engaged as domestic workers rather, they should go to school and get quality education,� she said.
Surendra Kumar, Inspector General of Police, CID, Assam Police, who was the chief guest, motivated the children by citing several examples where people have achieved great success, despite their poverty. He also highlighted different forms of child labour and explained the significance of emergency helpline numbers like 1098, 181 and 100.
The CDI, from time to time, highlights the issue of vulnerability of domestic workers and a potential threat of such workers falling into the trap of human trafficking. The week-long programme is organised every year from June 10 to 16. The interventions include several areas of child labour and domestic workers, including children on the streets, children in difficult situations, school dropouts, minors engaged in domestic work, etc.
