The times of India (Mumbai) 4th December 2000

The plight of children working in restaurants

A study on the overall condition of children working in various restaurants in Mumbai has been carried out by community Aid and Sponsorship Programme (CASP), a Mumbai based NGO having its activities in other part of the countries also. The study conducted by CASP in A, M and G south ward of Mumbai on children working in various restaurants found out that majority of these children were complacent about their likes and never thought about the future. Though conditions of children working in various restaurants varied from place to place, majority of children were working in poor condition. Except food, clothing and shelter, other facilities were not provided by the restaurant owners.

According to Nirja Mattoo, executive director, CASP, the study on conditions of children working in restaurant in Mumbai was carried out considering the fact that over one lakh children in Mumbai work in various restaurants, roadside foodstalls, dhabas and other places. This number was expected to go up, since the number of foodstalls were mushrooming in each and every corner of the city. Last week, CASP had organized seminar on a network meeting of NGO on children working in Mumbai's restaurants. The intention behind arranging the workshop was to bring together various NGOs working in the same field, since there are not many working for children in restaurants. The seminar also discussed finding of study undertaken by CASP.

The study found out that children working in restaurants who attended night school wanted to take up higher education by way of improving their skills either to take up good job or set up their own business. CASP has also been involved in providing vocational training to such students attending night school or were interested in improving skills. The children were also trained in the area of hygiene, after a study conducted by CASP found about their unhealthy living conditions. Though the children were initially unwilling to come forward to share their views, later on they co-operated with CASP officials.