Social Labeling and Child Labour

The problem of child labour has long been present in the carpet industry in India. Both government and the Non government organizations have taken many initiatives to curb this problem. In this venture, both these institutions are also supported by the international agencies also. Government on its front has passed many legislations like Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, the formulation of a National Policy on Child Labour in 1987 etc.

The initiatives of government and NGO's are now supplemented by welfare and rehabilitation activities undertaken by the social labelling programmes. There are four types of Labeling assigned to carpets :

• RUGMARK
• Kaleen
• Care and Fair
• STEP

RUGMARK
RUGMARK label, was the first Labeling programmes introduced in the carpet industry in India in 1994. Registered under Companies Registration Act, this foundation consists of manufacturers, exporters, NGOs and development organizations. Manufacturer or exporter who wish to obtain license of RUGMARK has to submit a complete list of looms and/or sources of procuring their carpets to RUGMARK foundation. The list should be updated on a regular, half-yearly basis.

Kaleen
Kaleen is a Labeling programmes initiated by the government. It is promoted by the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), under the ministry of textiles. CEPC apart from providing the license to the exporters of carpets also takes measures to eradicate the child labour and see the welfare of the weaver in the carpet industry. CEPC introduced the Kaleen label in 1995 for carpets to be exported as a hallmark of commitment towards the eradication of child labour. Exporters of the carpet have to obtain license from CEPC. It is mandatory. The annual membership fee is determined by their annual turnover.

STEP
STEP is a labelling system started by members of the carpet trade in Switzerland in October 1995. It is basically y a company certification programmes, that aim to link Indian exporters and Swiss importers and consumers of carpets. STEP India office was established in May 1996. It provides license and the holder of such license can use the monogram of STEP in all advertising materials, showroom displays, etc. STEP established with the objective of providing socially just conditions in carpet production and trade, progressive elimination of child labour and standard working and health conditions for the carpet workers.

Care and Fair
Care and Fair, just like STEP is a company certification programme and not a product labelling initiative. Care and Fair does not monitor the carpet production but relies on moral commitment of its members. Care and Fair addresses the concern of several carpet importers and retailers in Germany about the conditions prevailing in the carpet industry and the need to rectify it. The sponsors of CARE and FAIR intend to benefit the weaver households including the child labour