Ban on child labour comes into force

The ban is accompanied by provisions imposing punishment, which includes a jail term upto one year.

The Labour Ministry notification banning employing children below 14 years as domestic helps or at eateries on Tuesday came into force even as the children have little to cheer about in the absence of a comprehensive rehabilitation package.

HT Image

The ban is accompanied by provisions imposing punishment, which includes a jail term upto one year, sources in the labour ministry said.

NGOs have raised questioned on the success of the ban and asked how the government will ensure effective implementation of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act that bars children under 14 years from working as domestic help or servants at roadside eateries and other non-hazardous jobs.

There is a separate law banning the employment of children in factories, mines and hazardous work.

The Labour Ministry, which has already prohibited the government employees from engaging children as domestic help, recently issued a notification warning that anyone employing children would be liable to prosecution and other penal action.

The fresh notification prohibits employment of children as domestic servants or servants in dhabas (roadside eateries), restaurants, hotels, motels, teashops, resorts, spas and recreational centres.

While the government has decided to crack the whip, experts are of the view that a ban without a proper rehabilitation plan will backfire.