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Child labour bill will be test of Modi Govt: Kailash Satyarthi

A bill currently in the Indian Parliament on child labour totally will be a “test” of the new government on how they take the issues of the most exploited children in their political priority, says child rights campaigner and Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi.

Satyarthi, 61, was referring to an amendment to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act that will lead to a total ban on all forms of child labour up to the age of 14 and ban on worst forms of child labour involving hazardous work up to the age of 18.

“Also, rehabilitation must be ensured in law and only then, the law will be synchronised with the existing international ILO (International Labour Organisation) conventions. We are waiting... it would be a test of the present government on how they take the issues of the most exploited children in their political priority,” he said.

Acknowledging some positive steps taken by the PM Narendra Modi government - that came to power last year, he said: “The present government is taking several bold initiatives on the social agenda, be it Swachh Bharat or Clean India or be it Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. These are very, very fundamental social initiatives which are being taken by the government and the Prime Minister himself, and are quite significant.

“I have spoken to the Prime Minister that while we are striving at making a Clean India or a Prosperous India, it can be sustainable only when we make it a child-friendly India.
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