Punjab to launch campaign to check child labour

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Labour Minister Tikshan Sud on Wednesday issued directions to the Labour Department to launch a concerted campaign to eliminate child labour from Punjab. The Labour Minister in a relases said that the state government would deal with this mal practice in a meaningful manner and ensure that strict action is taken against the violators.

He said that the children so detected would be either put in Government schools under Sarv Shiksha Abhian or admitted in the National Child Labour Projects (NCLP) schools. He said that in case of destitute or children without parents would be provided shelter in the children homes being run by the Social Security Department of the State Government.

Seeking the help of general public to end this menace, he said that in case any person comes across the child labour he should inform the officials of the Labour Department/District Administration and the State authorities including Labour Commissioner, Principal Secretary and the Labour Minister himself whose telephone numbers are : 0172-2704847, 0172-2741387 and 0172-2740199 respectively who would take prompt action in this regard.

He said that Govt. of India, vide its notification dated 10.10.2006 had prohibited the employment of children below the age of 14 years as domestic servants and in dhabas, road side eateries, restaurants, hotels, motels, tea shops, resorts, spas or other recreational centre. Still a large number of children are working in these occupations.

He said that after coming into force of this notification since 10.10.2006, 11539 inspections have been carried out and 237 children have been detected. Actions have been initiated against the defaulting employers.