Judges rehabilitate child workers

Judges of the Delhi HC have decided to help rehabilitate rescued child labourers. They will now contribute a part of their salaries and form a fund for this purpose, along with an NGO.

Judges of the Delhi High Court have decided to help rehabilitate rescued child labourers - they will now contribute a part of their salaries and form a fund for this purpose, along with an NGO.

HT Image

Delhi High Court Chief Justice A.P. Shah announced the decision of the judges earlier this month in consultation with members of the labour ministry, the Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), a civil society group working for child rights.

Kailash Satyarthi of BBA said the corpus would be formed in a week's time.

"BBA along with DLSA is still working on the project proposal and it should be done in another one week's time. It's a unique initiative because probably for the first time judges have come forward to help rescued child labourers and empower them with education," Satyarthi told IANS.

While the association will look at rehabilitating rescued child labourers from Delhi and other states, it will also support their families to ensure that they don't push their children to work again.

Educating the kids will also be given importance as Justice Shah stressed that the 93rd constitutional amendment makes education not just a legal duty but also a right.

"After working out the proposal, it will be decided what portion of their salaries the judges will contribute every month. Whatever it maybe, just the fact that they have come forth for a cause like this is encouraging," Satyarthi said.