Celebrating 20 Years of Work

20 years ago the quest to end child labour started in the mica mining-dependent villages of Jharkhand and Bihar.

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As the world falters in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending child labour in all its forms by 2025, the children from mica mining-dependent villages in Bihar and Jharkhand, through the Child Labour Free Mica programme, have made it possible to achieve the SDG Target 8.7 in their corner of the world.

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On 5th July 2024 in Koderma, Jharkhand, we commemorated this landmark achievement in the fight against child labour, highlighting the relentless dedication and efforts that have eradicated child labour and fostered safe, child-friendly communities. Over 7,000 children, parents and community members from 684 mica mining-dependent villages and government officials came together to celebrate the end of child labour in mica mining.

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The event was attended by several distinguished guests from the government bodies: Dr Neera Yadav, Member of the Legislative Assembly and former Education Minister; Naman Priyesh Lakra, Deputy Commissioner of Giridih; Ramdhan Yadav, Chairman of the Zilla Parishad (Koderma) and RituRaj Singh, Deputy Development Commissioner of Koderma.

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The Chief Guest, Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), at the event, affirmed the programme as the first-ever indigenous attempt to cleanse the supply chain of child labour in mica mining and said, “Today I declare that all children are free from exploitation in mica mines and are headed to schools, and not mines, I feel both overwhelmed and proud. What the joint efforts and will of the Child Labour Free Mica program, village panchayats, state government and district administration have achieved in these villages is a testament to how consistent efforts and single-minded aim can ensure safety and justice for children. This is the beginning of the end of child labour in mica mines and that has to be maintained now.”

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Bhuwan Ribhu, a noted child rights activist, who shaped and conceptualised the entire programme shared, “The identification of children in mica mining and collection and their subsequent withdrawal from work and enrolment in schools is a landmark achievement of the government and the civil society organisations involved in the work of Child Labour Free Mica. This is an example to be replicated worldwide in the unorganised sector for eliminating child labour in global supply chains.”

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The emotions and voices of former child labourers were reflected by Bindiya Kumari from Nauwadih village, who recalled her past traumas and shared, “While working in the mica mines, our fingers often bled and we were in constant pain. But when the Bal Mitra Gram (Child-Friendly Village) program was initiated in our village, I along with my friends could once again go to school. I am in Class 10 now and once I grow up, I aspire to be a government officer who can stop such child exploitation.”

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David Hircock, Executive Director, Estee´ Lauder Companies was also present at the event and said, “To eliminate child labour worldwide, the voices of the children their experiences and their freely being part of solution-finding must be sought and acted on!”

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Children of all ages from the Child-Friendly Villages, many from remote areas, were integral in organising and coordinating this meeting, taking charge and being at the forefront. The occasion was emotionally charged and showcased the strong partnership with communities and government guided by the Child Labour Free Mica team to build safe and sustainable communities.