E-Paper
Ban on child labour to be enforced strictly, says ALC
Combating the menace of child labour through the framework of laws and Acts often proved to be a futile exercise as related cases kept emerging from time to time. But the strict implementation of laws this time may probably help in uprooting this practice altogether.
Combating the menace of child labour through the framework of laws and Acts often proved to be a futile exercise as related cases kept emerging from time to time. But the strict implementation of laws this time may probably help in uprooting this practice altogether.
"Those people who have employed the children below or upto the age of 14 years will be taken to task. They will be charged with a minimum fine of Rs 10,000 to maximum Rs 20,000. They could also be sent to jail for a period of three months to maximum of one year and in extreme cases, they might have to face both the punishments," said Zabeen Ayesha, assistant labour commissioner.
"Earlier, the people were prohibited from employing children in hazardous tasks under the Child Labour Regulation and Abolition Act, 1986 which included working in mines, brick kilns, carpet industry, bidi making etc. But now even the non-hazardous tasks have been covered under the rule of banning the child labour.
So now people cannot employ children in dhabas, as domestic help, in spas, restaurants, hotels, in any kind of entertainment related job and roadside restaurants. Even ragpickers are not allowed under this rule," said Ayesha.
The ragpickers often fall prey to skin related diseases. Those working in mines suffer from lung cancer and TB and any other task such as welding, or carpet making often makes the children suffer from accidents.
"With the help of the awareness campaign we will spread the message that child labour has been totally banned from now onwards and those practicing it will be put to task. Our medium includes the media, appeals made through the distribution of pamphlets, cinema slides, nukkad plays, plays by children of public school, wall writings, hoardings, prabhat pheris, races, and asking for the help of trade unions and industrial sectors," said the assistant labour commissioner.
According to her, a common person could easily help in this regard.
"Those who witness any case of child labour could inform at the labour commissioner's office. Our labour inspectors will reach the spot for further investigation. An FIR will be lodged against the guilty and the case will be dealt at the court of CJM. We are also planning for establishing helplines which will support the cause.
