Crèches sought for migrant children left alone at home

They are vulnerable to exploitation, says forum

Migrant working parents are staring at the disconcerting prospect of leaving behind their minor children alone at home exposing them to exploitation, including sexual abuse.

The increasing number of cases being registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the migrant worker-intense rural areas like Perumbavoor of late perhaps has to be seen in this context.

“Even children too young are being left alone making them vulnerable to sexual advances by other migrant workers and local residents alike not to mention the self-inflicted physical harm on playing with gas stoves, etc. With no other alternative, some working migrant mothers take their children with them to worksites, which further endanger the safety of children by exposing them to high levels of pollution like in the case of plywood factories or brick kilns and freak accidents,” said George Mathew, chairperson, Progressive Workers’ Organisation.