Rapport
Soiled seeds : child labour and underpayment of women in vegetable seed production in India
Despite the decline, the total number of children still employed in the vegetable seed sector is huge. The conditions in the fields continue to be very unsafe and exploitative for the children. The children are made to work long hours and are paid less than market and official minimum wages. They are also exposed to poisonous pesticides used in high quantities in vegetable seed cultivation and are often trafficked as migrants from other places. The existing employment practices in cottonseed farms result in the denial of rights of children and violate many national laws and international conventions.