4.5L child workers in e-waste industry: Assocham report

BANGALORE: A study by an industry body has found that there are about 4.5 lakh child workers in the 10-14 age group engaged in e-waste (electronic waste) activities, without adequate protection and safeguards in various yards and recycling workshops.

The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India (Assocham), in its study released on Monday, said a meagre four per cent of India's total e-waste gets recycled due to poor infrastructure, legislation and framework which lead to a waste of diminishing natural resources, irreparable damage of environment and health of the people working in industry.

"Over 95 per cent of e-waste generated is managed by the unorganized sector and scrap dealers in this market, who dismantle disposed products instead of recycling it," the study titled 'Electronic Waste Management in India' finds. Assocham said the study was carried out in collaboration with consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.

D S Rawat, secretary general, Assocham said, "The informal recycling industry often employs children to dismantle electronic waste. Our report strongly advocates legislation to prevent a child's entry into this labour market. The chamber has also strongly advocated the need to bring out effective legislation to prevent entry of child labour into its collection, segregation and distribution."

 

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