Herded without e-pass, 134 minors rescued from pvt mill in Tirupur

The crackdown comes barely a week after officials rescued around 38 teens from the same mill in Alathur. All of these 38 teens were sent off to their home towns in a specially arranged TNSTC bus by District Collector K Vijayakarthikeyan on Friday.

Speaking to the media, the Collector said stern action will be initiated against the textile unit for employing children. “A crackdown has been ordered to find out if any other firms in the district have engaged children,” he added.

Friday’s rescue was a joint effort by the childline, police, child welfare committee, and social welfare, revenue and labour departments following a tip-off. The children were aged between 13 to 18 and most of them were studying in schools. They have been sheltered in a rescue home and efforts are being taken to send them home.

The employer had exploited their poor financial background and convinced their parents to send the minors for work through agents. During the inquiry, the children expressed unwillingness to work and their desire to return home.

The district administration also slapped Rs 25,000 penalty for violating the COVID-19 safety protocol as workers were without masks and social distancing norms not followed.