‘Scenario of child labour an alarming issue’

‘Scenario of child labour an alarming issue’

Kohima, June 11 (MExN): The Kohima District Task Force (DTF) held an orientation programme pertaining to Child Labour and Adolescent Act under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, Anoop Khinchi IAS at DC's Conference Hall on June 11.

It was stated in a DIPR report that while chairing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner said that in present scenario the child labour has been an alarming issue not only in the district but throughout the state and country as well. He therefore called upon all the concerned stakeholders to be aware of its duties and responsibilities and to act upon the issue as per the Act. The DC said that the child labour has certain rights, which the concerned stakeholders should see and take action against the employer as per the law.

Project Officer, Department of Labour, T. Chubayanger presenting on the topic shared about the present trend on Child Labour in the district. He highlighted on various Sections of the principal Act under Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 where he pointed out the new section substituted in Section - 3, which says "prohibition of employment of children in any occupation and process". He said that children upto the age of 18 years were covered under this Child and Adolescent Act. He also highlighted on the “hazardous occupation and process in which adolescents are prohibited to work and children are prohibition to help” and “list of occupations and processes where children are prohibited to help in family or family enterprises”.

In Nagaland scenario, Chubayanger said that the main areas where the maximum numbers of children have been employed were as domestic helper or at hotel, restaurant and workshop. He pointed out that once the ILO rectification has come into place there would be a total banned stating that no children below the age of 14 years should to be employed. He therefore stressed on the roles of various stakeholders to be performed during the operation and the penalties provision as per the Act.

The house also deliberated on various issues of child abuse, a child who needs care and protection etc and the provisions and law where the child can be taken care off.

During the meeting, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa also said that mass awareness on the issue would be required in order to sensitise the people and to come up with proper guidelines, do’s and don’ts and how to go about it in the district.