Ban on the practice of child labour has started a new debate regarding the rehabilitation of these children, and the pros and cons of this decision taken by the Union Labour Ministry.
If a group feels that the ban will contribute towards the breeding of petty criminals in absence of proper rehabilitation measures then few also opined that it will help in population control.
"Child labour should be banned altogether as it is the most flourishing practice nowadays. It hampers the growth of children," said Ila Pant, District Probationary officer.
"We have not received any directions till date from the state government to start with the rehabilitation of these children. However, we have the centres which have been functioning for the past few years for accommodating the hapless children. These shelters are meant for the children belonging to different age groups such as Rajakiya Bal Grih Shishu for children upto the age of 10 years. Another one, specially for the girls of 10 to 18 years, is Rajakiya Bal Grih Balika and for boys of the same age group we have no such facility right now but Rajakiya Bal Grih (Balak) is being run in 5-6 cities. Still these centres are not filled up to their capacity, so we could accommodate few more children if we are directed to do so," she added.
The NGOs specially working for the welfare of the children are also taking steps to support the ban and start the rehabilitation measures at their level.
{{/usCountry}}The NGOs specially working for the welfare of the children are also taking steps to support the ban and start the rehabilitation measures at their level.
{{/usCountry}}Nazim Ansari, director of Bachpan Bachao Abhiyan, an NGO said that we are concentrating on starting the mass awareness programme through which the people will be intimated about the evils of child labour. "We are also doing survey on platforms where children are doing menial jobs to earn their living. A shelter for orphan child labourers is on the cards," he said.
Stuti, a student, who has done survey in rural areas regarding implementing education as a means for development said that it is unfortunate that still the lower class people who earn their daily wages through menial jobs live on the principle of 'more hands, more jobs'.
"This has added to the population explosion and with the ban they will come to the terms with the fact that now it is not the right step to increase their family as children are not allowed to work any more.
I think the support of family planning programmes will further help in population control," she said.
"Government still lacks measures for the proper rehabilitation of these children.
And by snatching away their means of livelihood, we are making children to divert themselves towards petty crimes. I think, it is necessary to match the rehabilitation measures with the overall population of child labourers and then come up with the ban," said Naiyar Siddiqi, an advocate.