No Child’s Play: Child Labour in Meerut’s Football Stitching Industry Nears Extinction

Meerut’s football stitching industry—once No Child’s Play: Child Labour in Meerut’s Football Stitching Industry Nears Extinctionnotorious for widespread child labour—is now on the brink of becoming child labour-free, according to a recent study, ‘Child Labour in a Dream Sport: A Study on Extent of Child Labour in India’s Soccer Ball Industry’, by India Child Protection (ICP). The study found that an overwhelming 94% of respondents reported no child labour in their neighbourhood units, indicating that one of India’s largest football manufacturing hubs is close to eliminating this exploitative practice. Only 5% of respondents reported seeing children engaged in work at these units.

ICP, a partner of Just Rights for Children (JRC)—a network of over 200 NGOs working across 416 districts for child protection—conducted the research in collaboration with JRC partners, including Gramin Samaj Vikas Kendra, Janhit Foundation, and Zila Yuva Vikas Sangthan.

Welcoming the findings of the study, Ravi Kant, National Convenor, Just Rights for Children, said, “This study marks a significant milestone for us. Child labour in the football stitching industry is on the verge of extinction—an achievement made possible by the collective efforts of governments, law enforcement, and stakeholders united against this crime. Now, we must sustain this momentum and extend it to other industries. Our mission will not be complete until every industry, shop, and marketplace across the country is free from child labour. It is a crime, and together, we will ensure its end."

To assess the extent of child labour in this sector, specific pockets in the district were identified where soccer ball industry operates. The objective was to identify at least 7-8 distinct areas followed by field visits and consultations with local stakeholders. Direct engagement with residents and community leaders provided additional insights, ensuring that the study captures a comprehensive representation of the soccer ball manufacturing landscape.

It must be noted here that child labour in India’s football stitching industry has long been a concern. Reports from the late 1990s and early 2000s highlighted the widespread exploitation of children in this sector, particularly in Meerut, and Jalandhar in Punjab. A 2008 study focusing on Meerut revealed the prevalence of child labour in football manufacturing activities, with children working long hours under challenging conditions. However, the latest findings suggest that decades of advocacy and intervention have yielded remarkable progress.

For more information, please contact:

Jitendra Parmar 8595950825; Paroma Bhattacharya 9910940551