Evil of child labour - awareness programme and workshop organised

Evil of child labour - awareness programme and workshop organised

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June, 14, 2014: DK District Child Welfare Committee President Asha Nayak, speaking as a chief guest at the legal awareness workshop organised by District Legal Services Authority, District Bar association and district administration on the occasion of World Anti-Child Labour Day, in Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, Mangalore on June 12, said "It is the high time for us to introspect we may have rescued, rehabilitated or protected just a hand full of child labour in our surroundings.

 

 

Though two million children have been termed as child labourers, we turn a blind eye to the situation, every child is the citizen of country and a child sent to labour in its formative age, is grossly deprived of its rights".  She also went on to state that we should not expect the government to do everything. We need to join our hands with good governance and strive to achieve zero child labour in the country.

All the participants took an oath to prevent child labour. School bags were distributed to students on the occasion.

District and Sessions Judge and district Legal Services Authority President, Uma M G inaugurated the workshop and said that if the children below 14 years are deprived of school education and exploited as labour, they will not be able to face the challenges in life. She  added "We find many children, who are socially backward, struggling as labourers. Also, children are forced in to hereditary occupation. This is due to the mind set of parents to earn money through their children and lacks awareness".

Commissioner of Police R Hithendra said that anti child-labour laws are not implemented properly and there was a need to create awareness among public and officials of the same.

Hayyalappa of Yadagiri district, who was rescued by Prajna Counselling Centre, Mangalore, shared his experiences. He said he has completed his BCom and would pursue higher studies. He was doing  daily wage work, along with his parents and siblings earlier.

Mangalore Subdivision Labour Commissioner M Anandamurthy, Superintendent of Police Dr S D Sharanappa, Chief Civil Justice N S Patil and district Bar Association President Ashok Ariga were present among others.

ADC Sadashiva Prabhu presided over the programme. Members of NGOs, children and officers of various departments took part in the workshop. Which was planned to promote awareness and commitment.