Children toil in chilli farms in searing heat

Disturbing sight in Prakasam

As per agreement worked out between farmers and migrant workers, the former should supply a mid size tanker full of water at their camp. The water would be used for all purposes. The situation is such that no can afford to bathe three days in a row, even after working in sweltering heat plucking chillies, as there would be no adequate water supply

• As many as 300 children work shoulder to shoulder with their parents to earn subsistence for their families and to clear their loans, back home

Ongole: With drought casting its debilitating effect in Prakasam district, it is not just migrant farm labourers who are working in chilli farms under the blistering heat, but even school-going children are sharing shoulder with their parents to earn subsistence for their families. As many as 500 families from Munagala, Penchalapadu, Sindhanuru, Kappatralla and surrounding villages left homes in January in search of livelihood.

As he is left with no option but to support his working parents for supplementing the little income they earn, 13-year-old Ashok is seen plucking chilles in sweltering day in and day out. Amidst the host of challenges, he is optimistic of earning handsome money by end of June and returning home.

Like Ashok, about 300 school-going children migrated with their parents. After working at various places, they are now camped in Naguluppalapadu and Inkollu mandals of Prakasam district. As this is the time chilli farmers go in for harvesting, migrant workers are being offered two kinds of wages by local farmers.

They get a pittance of Rs 200 per person for working between 7 AM and 5 PM. It is a pathetic sight to see as young as six-year olds toiling in the sweltering heat. Eleven-year-old Swapna, who was studying Class VI back home, said: “My parents said that we would return home early if we too work with them. They need money to pay loans and I need to work with them to go and meet my friends.”

Similar is the case of Sumalatha (14), studying Class VIII in the same village. “We need to save about Rs. 60000 to go back to our place. The amount is required to pay loans and for spending on our own farm. We are eagerly waiting for rains,” she said brimming with optimism. As per agreement worked out between farmers and migrant workers, the former should supply a mid size tanker full of water at their camp. The water would be used for all purposes.

The situation is such that no can afford to bathe three days in row, even after working in sweltering heat plucking chillies, as there would be no adequate water supply. Rice with chilli pickle has become staple meal for them over several days.Nine-year-old Gayatri of Sindhanuru said: “The farmer sends a tractor at early morning to bring all from the camp. It would be irritating to sleep in the evening without taking a shower.”

Meanwhile, Childline-1098 representative from Prakasam district B V Sagar met the parents and interacted with the children. The parents explained their helplessness in taking their little children along with them to work in harsh conditions. On the other hand, children are eager to get back home to study further. Childline officer B V Sagar said: “ We have directed all district and State-level authorities to ensure that children are not allowed to work anywhere, especially in chilli farms.”