I. SUMMARY
II. RECOMMENDATIONS
III. THE CONTEXT OF BONDED CHILD LABOUR
overview of bonded child labour
factors behind bonded child labour : poverty and tradition
"Nimble Fingers", and other myths of child labour
IV. LEGAL CONTEXT
Applicable international law
Applicable domestic law
V. CHILDREN IN BONDAGE
Beedi
Silver
Synthetic Gemstones
Silk
Leather
Agriculture
Handwoven wool carpets
VI. THE ROLE OF THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT
Government policy, programs and initiative
Failure of the Indian Government to Enforce the law
VII. CONCLUSION: COMBATING BONDED CHILD LABOR
Enforcemet of the bonded labour system (Abolition) Act
Creating Alternatives to bonded child labour

At least fifteen million children work as bonded laborers in India. Whether chained to carpet looms, sweating in silver smithies, or working in the field from dawn until, these children endure miserable lives. They earn little and are beaten often. They do not go to school. From the age of four or five, many work for years in appalling conditions in often futile attempts to pay off family debts. Based on interviews

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