Indore: From the manufacturing of firecrackers to the bangle-making industry or working in roadside eateries, child labour exists in parts of the economy.
Commemorating World Day against Child Labour 2021 on June 12 and quoting various laws to prevent child labour in the country, various awareness events were organised in Indore and throughout the country.
The day aims to spread awareness about the illegal practice of child labour that still prevails, and eradicate it. Child welfare committee in Indore along with Child Line organised an awareness event with orphaned children. This year, the theme of World Day Against Child Labour is 'Act Now: End Child Labour'. Amid the coronavirus pandemic and global crisis, there has been a drastic surge in child labour across the world due to people facing employment woes.
Child Welfare Committee president Pallavi Porwal, CSP Azad Nagar Nandini Sharma and Trupti Davar from Labour welfare department addressed the online event.
Davar discussed various laws against people forcing children into child labour.
“Do not talk to an unknown person on social media. And made the children aware about their career,” Sharma advised.
Porwal talked to the children and told them how the child welfare committee works in the interest of the children. She gave information about Juvenile Justice Act 2015.
Law against child labour
Article 24 of the Indian Constitution clearly states that, "No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or employed in any hazardous employment." The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986 designates a child as a person who has not completed their 14th year of age. It aims to regulate the hours and the working conditions of child workers and to prohibit child workers from being employed in hazardous industries.
What is the punishment for employing children in violation of the law?
Any person who employs a child below 14 or a child between 14 and 18 in a hazardous occupation or process can be punished with jail time of between six months and two years and/or a fine between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 50,000.
