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'Rugmark' aims for carpets made without child labour
Adapted from "First Call for Children"
Faced with growing pressure from potential customers concerned about child labour, the Indian carpet industry has established a mechanism aimed at certifying that children have not been involved in the production of rugs. Manufacturers and suppliers who comply with the rules are entitled to put the 'Rugmark' label on their carpets, signifying child-labour-free.
"Rugmark is exerting pressure on the US$584 million carpet industry to eliminate child labour," says Richard Young, Chief of Community Development for UNICEF New Delhi. "The concept is ambitious, but the implementation is difficult, given the number of carpets produced in India."
Companies that join the initiative must commit themselves in a legally binding way not to employ children under 14 and to pay workers at least the official minimum wage. In traditional family enterprises, children under 14 may assist their parents but must attend school regularly.
The initiative, begun in 1994, is operating in three states where carpets are manufactured for export or that are known to be sources of child labour for the industry: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan. So far, 25 manufacturers have been licensed to use the label and another 35 are finalizing their applications.
Although there are 3,000 registered carpet manufacturers and exporters in India, Rugmark is focusing on the larger manufacturers. The initiative is administered by a private not-for-profit foundation made up of manufacturers, exporters, NGOs and development organizations, including UNICEF.
The Rugmark initiative was conceived by the carpet industry and NGOs as a marketing tool aimed at maintaining export possibilities; it does not act as a regulatory body or replace any government authority. But members of the Foundation must get affidavits from their subcontractors that they work without child labour and they must agree to random checks at their looms by a team of inspectors recruited by Rugmark. Spot checks are also conducted by NGOs.
A Rugmark regional office has been established in the 'carpet belt', more rigorous qualifications for inspectors have been imposed, the number of inspectors has been increased and a regular training programme has been established. The label carries a serial number so the origins of each carpet can be traced.
A levy of 2 per cent of the value of the carpets is imposed on importers, the proceeds of which go into a fund earmarked for the rehabilitation of children released from the carpet industry and for preventive measures to stem the flow of children under 14 into the industry.
Similar initiatives are planned in Nepal and Pakistan.