The Council's Commitment Total elimination of child labour in the carpet industry

The Carpet Export Promotional Council of India is made carpets. an autonomous sponsored by body establishment to Ministry of Textiles,

promote the export of Indian

CEPC is

Gover nment of India, but its services are funded primarily by its members. Compliance with the CEPC's Child Labour Code of Conduct, is Mandatory for all Carpet Exporters. The Council stands in firm support of the elimination of illegal child labour in the carpet weaving sector . To reach this objective, the Council has undertaken significant self regulating initiatives, both on its own and in cooperation with Gover nment of India. In addition, in cooperation with international organizations, the Council participates in programmes to promote child welfare and development through education, meals and medical care.

Child Welfare and development initiatives Council created a Child Welfare Fund by raising a part of Export Proceeds from

Member Exporters and the proceeds of the fund are dedicated to the establishment of schools in carpet weaving areas, operated by non-government organizations (NGOs), the funding of midday meals for the students of such schools, the funding of wage replacements or stipends for the families of children removed the labor pool, and funding for providing medicare facilities to the weaver s and their families in carpet producing belt. As of now 45 schools operated by local NGOs have already successfully completed 3year s of NFE. 11 More schools have been sanctioned and commissioned w.e.f . 1.4.06.

Excerpts from the Council's Child Labour Code of Conduct: Compliance with this code is a mandatory conditions of membership in the Council. Only members in good standing may export carpets and only carpets woven on registered looms may be exported. Councilmember commit that no child labour prohibited by Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act of 1986 will be employed in their premises. Council members, including associate members, may buy or sell carpets only to or from other members or associate members of the CEPC. It is the responsibility of the members to ensure that no order of manufacturing carpets is given to, nor raw material issued for ,the

weaving of carpets on a loom that has not been registered or has been subsequently deregistered. To ensure compliance with this code, members expressly consent to the monitoring of their looms through random inspections by independent bodies authorized by the Council. Members who violate the code shall be subject to cancellation of export privileges (deregistration) or other punitive action.