Share
District officials at a meeting that was conducted to discuss child labour and relevant statutes, on June 11 in Kohima.[/caption]
Dimapur, June 11 (EMN): Welfare authorities in Kohima conducted an “orientation programme,” on June 11 to discuss various issues related to child rights and adolescents, besides statutes that have been legislated to administrate their welfare.
The government’s publicity agency, the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR), issued a report offering updates about the programme.
The seminar was presided over by the district’s Deputy Commissioner Anoop Khinchi. He said child labour was an “alarming” issue not only in the district but throughout the state and the country as well. The officer called upon community members and stakeholders to be aware of their duties and responsibilities. There are labour rights concerning the young, he said. The people and community stakeholders should ensure action against employers where warranted, he said.
A project officer at the department of Labour, T Chubayanger spoke about “the present trend” in child labour in the district. He highlighted various sections of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2016.
Children up to the age of 18 years are covered in the child and adolescent Act, he said. He highlighted the hazardous occupations and process in which adolescents are prohibited to work and children are prohibited to help.’ Likewise, he gave talked about the list of occupations and processes where children are prohibited to help in family or family enterprises.
In Nagaland, Chubayanger said, the main area where the maximum number of children are employed are as domestic helpers, or as employees at hotels, restaurants and ‘workshops.’
‘Once the International Labour Organisation’s rectification comes into place there will be a total ban on child labour,’ the IPR stated off the official’s discourse. No child below the age of 14 years should to be employed, he said.
The officials at the event deliberated on various issues of child abuse, and of children who need care and protection etc., and the legal provisions and law that assures care for children.
During the meeting, Additional Deputy Commissioner Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa said publicity programmes on the issue is required in order to educate the people and to come up with proper guidelines, do’s and don’ts and how to implement it in the district, the IPR added.