Financial distress is a dangerous thing. It can push even the unlikeliest of people to work for a living. Every year, countless children are forced to take up jobs so that they can support themselves and their families financially. It’s the bitter truth of our society.
Speaking of which, a 7-year-old boy was spotted working as a food delivery agent after his father met with an accident. In a video shared by a man named Rahul Mittal on Twitter, the boy goes to school in the morning and works as a delivery agent from 6 PM to 11 PM riding a cycle.
Have a look at the video here:
This 7 year boy is doing his father job as his father met with an accident the boy go to school in the morning and after 6 he work as a delivery boy for @zomato we need to motivate the energy of this boy and help his father to get into feet #zomato pic.twitter.com/5KqBv6OVVG
— RAHUL MITTAL (@therahulmittal) August 1, 2022
As this boy’s story was being watched widely on social media, several people pointed out that this is child labour and is against Zomato’s labour codes.
Keeping emotions aside. This is illegal..#zomato violation of rules ..he can’t drive a two-wheeler and also can’t be employed.
— ☕ 𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖎 𝖌𝖆𝖗𝖆𝖒☕ (@chaichokro) August 2, 2022
He doesn’t look like a 7 yrs old. But definitely a child labour. Ethical dilemma, a child shud not work but they are needy
— Niharika Sahoo (@niharikasahoo) August 3, 2022
It is illegal to employ children under 14. How sad we don’t have government programs that help families of unemployed. This family deserves all the help. What a brave, positive, hardworking boy.
— Varsha (@VarshaS93) August 4, 2022
However, many lauded the boy for his courage and highlighted how unforeseen circumstances often lead people, and children, to work and earn a living.
Literally cried for a moment. Can I get the details of this boy and how would I be able to help him?
— suganthan (@msugantan) August 4, 2022
This boy shook my lazy soul. A story that remains in my mind till I deeply involve in doing a work.
— MALLIKARJUNA REDDY.S (@MALLIMECH99) August 3, 2022
Bhookh badi cheez hai wo kya samjhenge jinke gale tak khana bhara hai. Wo legal illegal baat karenge. What courage. If I may help the child please send his no.
— God save us all (@LD13131209) August 4, 2022
I hope that his father get well soon so that this Boy can focus on his studies only..
— 🇮🇳 (@sapna_rawat) August 2, 2022
Rahul Mittal later alleged that Zomato has frozen the father’s ID but helped the family financially.
To All those who advocating law here and raising an issue about child labour and policy According to the boy #Zomato have freeze the father id and now he is not doing any labour work and zomato helped them financially too , his father id will unfreeze as soon as he able to work
— RAHUL MITTAL (@therahulmittal) August 4, 2022
It is sad how children are forced to grow up so soon for the sake of their families.