Carpet Kids - India

March 1998
In recent years an international campaign against child labour has devastated India's once thriving export of rugs.Sunlight streams through dusty looms. For centuries the nimble fingers of children have been used to weave the beautiful carpets, often under conditions of virtual slavery. Now its a $200 million industry.



Now, under the international media spotlight, the carpet manufacturers are trying to clean up their Image. They've introduced the 'Rugmark' registration system, which guarantees no child labour has been used in carpets bearing the 'Rugmark' label. Shaukat Ansari has 3,000 looms. He's under pressure from Western buyers to prove no child's sweat is spent.


But the system has its problems. It is impossible to police as there are 25,000 looms and only 15 inspectors. At a small factory crammed with weavers, looms and colourful swathes of wool, some of the weavers are mysteriously absent and the inspectors say they face constant attempts at bribery. Even children who have been 'rescued' from the looms find that economic necessity drives them back. Many are terrified they will lose their jobs. A weaver can expect to be paid a handsome $36 for 9 months work to make a rug.


However, one local NGO offers a more viable alternative. Robin Garland gave up his post as CEO of a huge UK carpet business to run Project Mara. The children there study for half of the day and work the looms for the other half. Pintu is 11, 4 years too young to work the looms but his family needed every penny they could get.

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

Category:

News & Politics

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• rugmark
• abuse
• work
• India
• Asia
• international
• campaign
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[sn00zer]

200 million dollar industry for multi billion dollar market

its getting better though 

[jamesa4050]

i would guess that many children would be happy to learn a skilled trade like carpet weaving from their parents and to have that good feeling that they are valued for contributing to their family and the advantage of having a marketable skill before they go out into the world. i remember those times when i was working with my father as good times. one of my first concerns would be that they are fairly compensated.

[pathologyex]

What's wrong with a child helping their family to survive? It's better to weave carpets than to starve.

[watchitnz]

Its much better to make carpet than to sell drugs. I dont know what the fuss is all about.

[MaryBridget12]

I dont think that this is a laughing matter in the slightest. Child labor from a young enugh age can leave serious phycological and developmental and physical damage to a child. Start looking to the world instead of yourself dude, make a trip to a really poor area and you will not be laughing anymore.

[spirtwalkermadison]

The children are hungry! Unfortunately if they want to eat they have to work. What give them ice cream there is no electric! They need the basics rice, water and a living wage for the adults.

[jawasshadow]

i feel bad for the i looked this up because im reading s book called Iqbal it about child labor

[ASHIFSHAIKH]

a very good film

[Reynhardt63]

it's so sad i really feal sorry for them and i feel so lucky tobe able to learn and not weave carpets

[lilmissneon]

it may be to pay off debts and for money, but this is unspeakably horrible.

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