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The Apparel Export Promotion Council has flayed a US Department of Labour report which said that the Indian garment industry has been engaging forced child labour.
Stating that the Indian garment industry complied with international labour laws which prohibit child labour, AEPC has asked the department to remove Indian apparels from the negative list.
The US Department of Labour in its annual listing for 2012 has included 21 goods like leather, carpets, brassware, bricks, stones, locks, fireworks and rice, which are produced in India using child labour.
A. Sakthivel, Chairman of AEPC, said, “AEPC would like to reiterate that the garment industry of India is deeply engaged in ensuring compliance with the law and that its efforts encompass the informal sector, including home workers, and facilities serving solely the domestic market.”
‘Executive Order 13126 List'
The US department continues to include India’s apparel export sector under its ‘Executive Order 13126 List’ on the ‘Prohibition of Acquisition of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labour’.
AEPC said that it has already submitted the documentations needed for the process of removing India from the list. Among the documents include Government enforcement data — all-India data from 2006 to 2012, indicating significant reduction in violations.
The apex body for the textile industry also said that the Clothing Manufacturers' Association of India, which represents and serves both the domestic and export sectors with over 3000 members across India, issued advisories to all its members against child labour.
Child labour report
AEPC said the US Department of Labour report on child labour has put this report based on the negative media coverage and its bibliography. However, the positive bibliography submitted by AEPC based on positive news has been completely omitted.
During April-August this year, apparel exports declined 12.16 per cent to $5.26 billion. In 2011-12, apparel exports grew 17.9 per cent to $13.7 billion.
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