17 million children in India work out of compulsion, not by choice
It’s ironical that people who spend a good part of their lives serving food to strangers rarely get to enjoy a hearty meal. As exploitation of employees rapidly becomes the norm in the hotel industry, ineffective regulatory measures add to the problem.
Statistics tell a sorry tale. Last year, 16,592 children were identified as working in establishments covered under the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act. Two years ago, that figure was 13,962. In both years, hotels accounted for a major chunk of the numbers . In July this year, three children working in hotels were rescued and rehabilitated by the labour department. A recent survey, conducted by the Hotel Federation of India (HFI), reveals that employees in 248 hotels in the Majestic area are underpaid.
While children have always been employed in the hotel industry, concerns over other forms of exploitation – including violation of the minimum wages rule – are increasingly coming to light. The minimum wages are revised once in five years and as of April 2008, a waiter is entitled to a minimum of Rs 3,189, while a cook can claim Rs 3,288 and cleaner/ washer Rs 3,016. As per a high court order of July 2007, an employer can deduct Rs 175 from the minimum wage for providing food.
An employee is expected to work for eight hours, and the employer has to pay extra for additional working hours. The rules say working hours on a split shift should not exceed 12 hours. But, in most hotels, employees are not paid as per rules. Cleaners and washers are the most exploited – they get an an average of about Rs 1,000 per month. Recruiting trainees come much cheaper as hotels pay only 75% of minimum wages.
In Bangalore, around 2,614 hotels are registered under the labour department and around 38,868 employees work in the hotel industry.
According to labour department officials , organized rackets are involved in sourcing workers for hotels. West Bengal, Orissa, Manipur and Sikkim have been among the favoured states. Most child labourers are brought from distant places. These silent victims don’t ask for leave or bonus. They can’t claim minimum wages either, as they are assured of food and a place to sleep.
25 Aug 2008, Nirmala M Nagaraj, TNN
