Child Domestics
By Mohammad Azim Khan Keyani
The Situation
Children do domestic work so parents’ burden is reduced
But they are locked, scolded, beaten and abused
Work by children is child labour, when done as an occupation
It badly affects their development and deprives from education
Children must be ensured to fully enjoy their childhood
This message throughout the whole world be understood
They should grow in a peaceful and safe environment
Guardians have to take care of each genuine requirement
Why do adults exploit them and try to give harm?
Child labour is not acceptable in any form
All of them are like flowers and pearls
Why are valued less than boys, these girls?
Girls are more obedient, capable and responsible
Still many people consider them as highly disposable
Everyone in SAARC region knows and remembers
People hardly consider girls as permanent family members
Remain busy day and night and do whatever possible
Unfortunately, most of their work is not visible
Child domestics are abused and tortured, in addition
They are insulted and face bad living condition
On one hand they do not get share of property
Women and girls bear more burden of poverty
Protecting rights of children is a very noble goal
Govts., NGOs, and civil society should play their role
Must come to an end child labour and exploitation
Instead they should be provided proper care and education
Our Role for Child Domestics
To know situation of child domestics can keep contact
Be aware of their rights in our country’s context
Can discuss in the locality with our neighbours
If adults are available then why child labours?
Governments and others must do justice to their responsibilities?
And to support child domestic workers look for opportunities
Should stay in touch through internet and letters
With people interested to work on child domestics matters
Networking with all other agencies be made
For child domestics which can provide some aid
Governments must try for existing legal provisions to improve
Un-favourable conditions for child domestics should remove
For better access to social services more resource allocation
And access be provided to health services and universal education
Public may also be involved in child focused campaign
NGOs be allowed to do whatever is in their domain
Employers may consider children employed as their own
Irrespective of their colour: black, white or brown
Media to encourage children to speak but respect confidentiality
It has not fully played its role it is a reality
Sufficient awareness for rights of children be created
And concrete steps by children’s organizations be initiated
All of us claim that our life is very busy
For child domestic workers our access must be easy
Legal aid groups will honestly have to fight
So child domestics get each of their right
Can become responsible for children and be active
For all children across the board, never be selective
With children everyone should have positive attitude
There must not be any child slavery or servitude
Children should never be forced to join armed forces
Rather on their development we can direct more resources
No child trafficking, no pornography or child prostitution
To protect children should try each person and institution
No child can be used for any type of crimes
UN should carefully monitor it all the times
Child should do no work that harms the health
It is our future and of course the real wealth
Steps Forward
CRC by all countries of South Asia has been ratified
Generally with the articles of CRC they are satisfied
By 2010 all children at primary level be educated
Progress be monitored and properly evaluated
All children against work related exploitation be protected
In Oslo governments, NGOs, UN and others interacted
Nepal and Sri Lanka ratified Convention on Minimum Age of Employment
Before compulsory schooling for children it is time for enjoyment
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh already started implementation
For Convention on Worst Form of Child Labour, other consider ratification
Laws
Laws prohibit children employment in dangerous occupations
In order to implement them they have made regulations
Conditions under which children may work are defined
According to their local environment rules are refined
Below which cannot work they have set an age
And many children are benefiting from this advantage
Child labor law is applied in factory units which are formal
Sectors are not covered which are home-based and informal
Child work in urban sector has received enough attention
For majority of children in rural areas hardly any mention
Legal framework leaves majority without legal protection
So most working children particularly domestics are at rejection
Good Work
Bangladesh:
Non-formal education for child domestic workers is being arranged
Employers’ attitudes towards child domestic workers are changed
In drop-in centres children attend creative learning lessons
The curricula includes drama, art and music sessions
Legal aid includes advice, negotiation, mediation and litigation
Victims are helped against abuse, violence and exploitation
India:
Child domestic workers who in a locality are residing
Some NGOs to them coaching classes are providing
Child domestics are motivated to do the study
To provide them necessary guidance NGOs are ready
Stay with privileged classmates has been introduced
So ratio of failures and drop-outs has also reduced
For domestic work young women and girls are trained
Records of suitable employers for placement are maintained
Monitoring visits to these girls and women are made
To ensure their welfare and provide legal aid
NGOs are established to work for house workers solidarity
Are improving conditions of child domestics in majority
Mission is education, identification, liberation and rehabilitation
In child servitude by intervention, coalition building and mobilization
To know about their rights children are encouraged
From employing children below 14, govt. servants be discouraged
Shelter, repatriation and rescue to distressed children callers
Are offered free of cost without any payment of dollars
Pakistan:
Removal of children from exploitative situation is a good scheme
It helps children develop confidence and self-esteem
Child domestics are provided opportunity to enjoy childhood
This is also an important thing not only the livelihood
It is must and essential for each child’s advancement
And this is done through free education and skill enhancement
So that can start small businesses of their own
After completing some training girls get soft loan
On small mistakes which working children are jailed
NGOs arrange their release while police have failed
Heart Burning Voices of Child Domestics
When I get sick, my employer never treats
On very minor things insults and beats
Sometimes abused by calling names on face
I am planning to escape from this place
To any friend without permission if I meet
Mistress will punish me and break the teeth
Many years ago was left here by father
Since then I have not met my mother
Let me not say anything about others
It is my right to see sisters and brothers
Mistress never allows making a call on phone
Many times I feel helpless and alone
My employers are very cruel, in me do not trust
All my letters are opened and read by them first
Is it called justice and is it considered fair?
My space is only a corner near the stairs?
My masters keep me under that much care
Even meeting my parents, they are there!!!
Imagine the behaviour of employers is how good
Mostly I am given the left over food
In winter clothes given are not enough warm
Outside duties early morning are full of harm
Due to continuous work feel pain in my arm
Life is so difficult and without and charm
I became a domestic worker when seven years small
Neither went to school nor played with doll
Whenever he was in a mood to have ‘fun’
I became a victim of my master’s son
Cannot sleep peacefully and frightened I remain
Any time this ‘gentleman’ can ‘play’ with me again
Sometimes touches and throws a meaningful glance
Master himself may not ‘spare’ me if gets a chance
There is no one to help to whom should I tell
From such miserable life, better go to hell
The employer punishes me and physically hurts
Due to this tension my head badly bursts
Want to study and hate much to stay here
Both employer and my parents do not take care
Do work till late night and during whole day
I have no permission with anyone to play
Locked in the house in lieu of meager wage
Can anyone help me to come out of cage?
Innocent Domestic Worker Girl
She belongs to remote and far away village
With no primary school, what to talk of college
In addition poor parents cannot afford to feed
How little girl can learn to write and read
She has four sisters and three brothers
Two of them do domestic work of others
In total the ‘small’ family consists of ten
And mummy takes care of children like hen
Poor father for family is doing his best
He works day and night can hardly rest
The house is so ‘spacious’ like a bird’s nest
Whole family on floor sleeps next-to-next
Little girl at home was helping her mother
While the eldest brother was working with father
The parents did not send her to school
Rather put her to work during hot and cool
She was sent as domestic worker to neighbour
Where she has to do a lot of work as labour
Hands which would have pens and pencils
Remain busy in cleaning and washing utensils
Her parents now consider it as very good
She gets nice clothes and quality food
Employers never allow her to go out in any way
They fear from them someone will take her away
She will not get any one of her rights
Unless and until someone on her behalf fights
As early as 6 a.m. her work will start
Will prepare and serve to the family breakfast
To house then alone she sweeps and mops
And accompanies the mistress to many shops
Prepares the lunch and then after
Pressing of the clothes is done by her
She looks after the children and cuts vegetables
After all have taken food she cleans the tables
She polishes shoes, fetches water and cuts fish
Does dusting, grinds spices and washes each dish
Furniture, clothes, carpets, TV, fridge and fans
She takes care of all items plus pots and pans
Sometimes she has to work twenty hours a day
Still gets each month only five dollars pay
Governments, NGOs, and civil society should favour
And must try their best to stop child labour
By Mohammad Azim Khan Keyani
The Situation
Children do domestic work so parents’ burden is reduced
But they are locked, scolded, beaten and abused
Work by children is child labour, when done as an occupation
It badly affects their development and deprives from education
Children must be ensured to fully enjoy their childhood
This message throughout the whole world be understood
They should grow in a peaceful and safe environment
Guardians have to take care of each genuine requirement
Why do adults exploit them and try to give harm?
Child labour is not acceptable in any form
All of them are like flowers and pearls
Why are valued less than boys, these girls?
Girls are more obedient, capable and responsible
Still many people consider them as highly disposable
Everyone in SAARC region knows and remembers
People hardly consider girls as permanent family members
Remain busy day and night and do whatever possible
Unfortunately, most of their work is not visible
Child domestics are abused and tortured, in addition
They are insulted and face bad living condition
On one hand they do not get share of property
Women and girls bear more burden of poverty
Protecting rights of children is a very noble goal
Govts., NGOs, and civil society should play their role
Must come to an end child labour and exploitation
Instead they should be provided proper care and education
Our Role for Child Domestics
To know situation of child domestics can keep contact
Be aware of their rights in our country’s context
Can discuss in the locality with our neighbours
If adults are available then why child labours?
Governments and others must do justice to their responsibilities?
And to support child domestic workers look for opportunities
Should stay in touch through internet and letters
With people interested to work on child domestics matters
Networking with all other agencies be made
For child domestics which can provide some aid
Governments must try for existing legal provisions to improve
Un-favourable conditions for child domestics should remove
For better access to social services more resource allocation
And access be provided to health services and universal education
Public may also be involved in child focused campaign
NGOs be allowed to do whatever is in their domain
Employers may consider children employed as their own
Irrespective of their colour: black, white or brown
Media to encourage children to speak but respect confidentiality
It has not fully played its role it is a reality
Sufficient awareness for rights of children be created
And concrete steps by children’s organizations be initiated
All of us claim that our life is very busy
For child domestic workers our access must be easy
Legal aid groups will honestly have to fight
So child domestics get each of their right
Can become responsible for children and be active
For all children across the board, never be selective
With children everyone should have positive attitude
There must not be any child slavery or servitude
Children should never be forced to join armed forces
Rather on their development we can direct more resources
No child trafficking, no pornography or child prostitution
To protect children should try each person and institution
No child can be used for any type of crimes
UN should carefully monitor it all the times
Child should do no work that harms the health
It is our future and of course the real wealth
Steps Forward
CRC by all countries of South Asia has been ratified
Generally with the articles of CRC they are satisfied
By 2010 all children at primary level be educated
Progress be monitored and properly evaluated
All children against work related exploitation be protected
In Oslo governments, NGOs, UN and others interacted
Nepal and Sri Lanka ratified Convention on Minimum Age of Employment
Before compulsory schooling for children it is time for enjoyment
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh already started implementation
For Convention on Worst Form of Child Labour, other consider ratification
Laws
Laws prohibit children employment in dangerous occupations
In order to implement them they have made regulations
Conditions under which children may work are defined
According to their local environment rules are refined
Below which cannot work they have set an age
And many children are benefiting from this advantage
Child labor law is applied in factory units which are formal
Sectors are not covered which are home-based and informal
Child work in urban sector has received enough attention
For majority of children in rural areas hardly any mention
Legal framework leaves majority without legal protection
So most working children particularly domestics are at rejection
Good Work
Bangladesh:
Non-formal education for child domestic workers is being arranged
Employers’ attitudes towards child domestic workers are changed
In drop-in centres children attend creative learning lessons
The curricula includes drama, art and music sessions
Legal aid includes advice, negotiation, mediation and litigation
Victims are helped against abuse, violence and exploitation
India:
Child domestic workers who in a locality are residing
Some NGOs to them coaching classes are providing
Child domestics are motivated to do the study
To provide them necessary guidance NGOs are ready
Stay with privileged classmates has been introduced
So ratio of failures and drop-outs has also reduced
For domestic work young women and girls are trained
Records of suitable employers for placement are maintained
Monitoring visits to these girls and women are made
To ensure their welfare and provide legal aid
NGOs are established to work for house workers solidarity
Are improving conditions of child domestics in majority
Mission is education, identification, liberation and rehabilitation
In child servitude by intervention, coalition building and mobilization
To know about their rights children are encouraged
From employing children below 14, govt. servants be discouraged
Shelter, repatriation and rescue to distressed children callers
Are offered free of cost without any payment of dollars
Pakistan:
Removal of children from exploitative situation is a good scheme
It helps children develop confidence and self-esteem
Child domestics are provided opportunity to enjoy childhood
This is also an important thing not only the livelihood
It is must and essential for each child’s advancement
And this is done through free education and skill enhancement
So that can start small businesses of their own
After completing some training girls get soft loan
On small mistakes which working children are jailed
NGOs arrange their release while police have failed
Heart Burning Voices of Child Domestics
When I get sick, my employer never treats
On very minor things insults and beats
Sometimes abused by calling names on face
I am planning to escape from this place
To any friend without permission if I meet
Mistress will punish me and break the teeth
Many years ago was left here by father
Since then I have not met my mother
Let me not say anything about others
It is my right to see sisters and brothers
Mistress never allows making a call on phone
Many times I feel helpless and alone
My employers are very cruel, in me do not trust
All my letters are opened and read by them first
Is it called justice and is it considered fair?
My space is only a corner near the stairs?
My masters keep me under that much care
Even meeting my parents, they are there!!!
Imagine the behaviour of employers is how good
Mostly I am given the left over food
In winter clothes given are not enough warm
Outside duties early morning are full of harm
Due to continuous work feel pain in my arm
Life is so difficult and without and charm
I became a domestic worker when seven years small
Neither went to school nor played with doll
Whenever he was in a mood to have ‘fun’
I became a victim of my master’s son
Cannot sleep peacefully and frightened I remain
Any time this ‘gentleman’ can ‘play’ with me again
Sometimes touches and throws a meaningful glance
Master himself may not ‘spare’ me if gets a chance
There is no one to help to whom should I tell
From such miserable life, better go to hell
The employer punishes me and physically hurts
Due to this tension my head badly bursts
Want to study and hate much to stay here
Both employer and my parents do not take care
Do work till late night and during whole day
I have no permission with anyone to play
Locked in the house in lieu of meager wage
Can anyone help me to come out of cage?
Innocent Domestic Worker Girl
She belongs to remote and far away village
With no primary school, what to talk of college
In addition poor parents cannot afford to feed
How little girl can learn to write and read
She has four sisters and three brothers
Two of them do domestic work of others
In total the ‘small’ family consists of ten
And mummy takes care of children like hen
Poor father for family is doing his best
He works day and night can hardly rest
The house is so ‘spacious’ like a bird’s nest
Whole family on floor sleeps next-to-next
Little girl at home was helping her mother
While the eldest brother was working with father
The parents did not send her to school
Rather put her to work during hot and cool
She was sent as domestic worker to neighbour
Where she has to do a lot of work as labour
Hands which would have pens and pencils
Remain busy in cleaning and washing utensils
Her parents now consider it as very good
She gets nice clothes and quality food
Employers never allow her to go out in any way
They fear from them someone will take her away
She will not get any one of her rights
Unless and until someone on her behalf fights
As early as 6 a.m. her work will start
Will prepare and serve to the family breakfast
To house then alone she sweeps and mops
And accompanies the mistress to many shops
Prepares the lunch and then after
Pressing of the clothes is done by her
She looks after the children and cuts vegetables
After all have taken food she cleans the tables
She polishes shoes, fetches water and cuts fish
Does dusting, grinds spices and washes each dish
Furniture, clothes, carpets, TV, fridge and fans
She takes care of all items plus pots and pans
Sometimes she has to work twenty hours a day
Still gets each month only five dollars pay
Governments, NGOs, and civil society should favour
And must try their best to stop child labour
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