Awareness against child labour, Workshop held

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Oct 06, 2018: Speaking after inaugurating a workshop organised to create awareness on the laws related to prevention of child labour and the role of the Gram Panchayat president and PDOs; Udupi Additional DC Vidya said grassroots-level authorities should actively work for the elimination of child labour.  She added that the child labour is an evil practice that snatches the childhood of a child. Every child has the right to enjoy the childhood, she added.

 

ADC Vidya said a strong determination is required to put an end to the child labour menace. The children should be kept away from work till they become adults, she said.

She suggested measures should be taken right from the grassroots level. The administration is also part of the responsibilities entrusted in the law formulated against the practice of child labour. Awareness should be created against the ill effects of child labour, she added.

The civilised society should bow the heads with shame while the innocent children work. The problem exists due to poverty and especially, among the migrant and construction labourers, who also involve their kids in work instead of sending them to the schools, she observed.

On the occasion, District Labour Officer Mallikarjun Jogar said the law against child labour was formulated in 1987. But the law gained momentum only after 1997 when the Supreme Court came out with a verdict directing on the rehabilitation process of the kids rescued, he added.

Jogar said the children should be sent to schools to eliminate the menace. An amendment was brought to the law in 2016, wherein the children beyond the age of 14 years until 18 years are also barred from working. Earlier, the offence was non-cognizable. But it is at present made cognizable and is of station bail. The fine has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 and Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000. At present, the standard operating procedure has involved 12 departments and the PDOs at Gram Panchayats are also involved in the inquiry and prosecution under the amendments made to the Act, he added.