Bill to ban child labour brought in, says Dattatreya

The government has brought an amendment in the Child Labour Act to prohibit child labour in any occupation in any industry, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said on Wednesday.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, he termed the issue as “serious” and sought the cooperation of members in passage of the amendment Bill.

“We want total prohibition of child labour in any occupation in any industry. That is why, we have moved an amendment in the Act and have given notice. I seek the cooperation of members that this time the Bill should be passed, so that there is total prohibition of child labour,” he said during the Question Hour.

In his written reply, Dattatreya said there are 43.53 lakh workers in the age group of 5-14 years in the country as per the 2011 census, which shows a decline from 2001 census.

The Minister said the Bill to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2012.

“The government has also decided to move official amendments, inter-alia, proposes complete prohibition on employment of children below 14 years, linking the age of prohibition with the age under Right of Children tro Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, making the punishment for employers more stringent and constitution of Rehabilitation Fund for rehabilitation activitis,” Dattatreya said. He said appellate authorities in central and state governments have also been set up.

“All district magistrates should be empowered for implementation of the Act,” he said, seeking proper implementation of the Child Labour Act.