Plan to amend Child Labour Act, says Mallikarjun Kharge

BANGALORE: Union Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge today said the Centre plans to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition and Abolition) Act, 1986, to ensure children in the 14-18 age group are not employed in any industry.

The existing law restricts it to children below 14 years of age.

"The Centre is committed to protecting the welfare of children. Elimination of child labour is an article of faith and commitment to us," he said.

Kharge said the Child Labour (Prohibition and Abolition) Bill is before the Cabinet and hoped it would be soon approved.

He said government also plans to bring forward new legislations for the welfare of safai karmacharis (scavengers) and domestic workers.

Kharge said the government also plans to set up 5,000 Skill Development Centres on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

He also said an ESI Medical College and Hospital would come up in Bangalore where 100 students would be admitted. "The college will start functioning this year. The project has been approved," he said.