Millions of children work, are malnourished or unable experience a childhood because adults, their guardians do not have appropriate employment and income. Discrimination basis caste, class, gender and religion act as impediments when accessing employment. To address these State / Central government has taken responsibility of Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) for both Urban and Rural Areas. While the same has been implemented in rural the need is to implement the same in urban Mumbai as well. The census figures indicates that 23% of workforce between age 20 and 24 are unemployed. Large numbers of adults work in the non-formal sector. Here there is no assurance of daily employment. Guarantee of minimum wages and social security are a far cry. In this scenario parent find themselves wanting, when it comes to protecting the interests of their children. 

Data source: Census 2001, MMC website & 2002 year book, NHFS, Nitin Hetekar study, Maharashtra state report.