A Konyak lad working at a stone quarry somewhere in Mon district. (Photo courtesy/CECS)
Dimapur| June 9 : The Department of Labour is finally making concerted efforts to break the deafening silence on the issue of child labour. The department has tied up with the Community Education Centre Society (CECS) in the campaign against child labour. A joint effort by CECS, Department of Labour and the Department of Social Welfare, the campaign is aimed to raise awareness particularly amongst youths.
Sharing his views on the seriousness of the campaign against child labour, Project Officer, Yanger said that Nagas have for too long remained silent on the issue; like it doesn’t exist in the society. He said in spite of the high magnitude of child labours in the State, Nagas have been ignoring the issue. But in recent years, with combined efforts of the government and non-government agencies, the issue has taken a new dimension, he said. Yanger, however, admitted that a larger section of the population still remains ignorant especially with regard to domestic child labour. He said that Nagas have the mind set that employing children as domestic helpers is charity work.
Although the Department of Labour is the law enforcing agency for the Child Labour Act in the state, there has been very little success in its implementation. Yanger said that the toughest area to penetrate is the child domestic labours; where proper survey cannot even be carried out due to resistance from the employers. He said that it is not only the general public but also the policy makers who need to change their mindset. The department has, therefore, taken initiatives to include all stakeholders, to sensitize them and create more awareness among them.
With problems of child trafficking, forced hazardous labour and unlawful adoption coming to the fore, the issue is becoming more complex. Sadly, apart from the centrally sponsored National Child Labour Project (NCLP) which is being implemented in Dimapur district alone, the State government has not been able to formulate any schemes or rehabilitation programmes for the victims. The NCLP project provides assistance to 20 schools run by different NGOs to impart non-formal education to child labours/street children. The project began in 2009 and so far about 100 children have been brought into the mainstream- a significant achievement for the partnering agencies. Although there are hitches in its implementation, Yanger expressed optimism about the success of the project.
There have been collaborative efforts from various State government agencies to help and rehabilitate the children, but nothing sustainable has emerged. It is feared that the problem not only exists in Dimapur where non-Naga children comprise a larger chunk of child labours. In the rural areas also significant numbers of children are being forced to work as child labours by their own parents. Yanger said that unless there is a total change in mindset, as well as collaborative effort among stakeholders and different departments, the state will continue to grapple with the issue.
The concert against child labour is scheduled for June 12 in Dimapur. The department will launch “childline” a tollfree helpline number. Yanger hopes that through this campaign, the department will be able to sensitize the young people. He said that the department is trying to expand its vision to other parts of the state, and hopes that in the coming years the campaign will hit other parts of the state as well.
Sharing his views on the seriousness of the campaign against child labour, Project Officer, Yanger said that Nagas have for too long remained silent on the issue; like it doesn’t exist in the society. He said in spite of the high magnitude of child labours in the State, Nagas have been ignoring the issue. But in recent years, with combined efforts of the government and non-government agencies, the issue has taken a new dimension, he said. Yanger, however, admitted that a larger section of the population still remains ignorant especially with regard to domestic child labour. He said that Nagas have the mind set that employing children as domestic helpers is charity work.
Although the Department of Labour is the law enforcing agency for the Child Labour Act in the state, there has been very little success in its implementation. Yanger said that the toughest area to penetrate is the child domestic labours; where proper survey cannot even be carried out due to resistance from the employers. He said that it is not only the general public but also the policy makers who need to change their mindset. The department has, therefore, taken initiatives to include all stakeholders, to sensitize them and create more awareness among them.
With problems of child trafficking, forced hazardous labour and unlawful adoption coming to the fore, the issue is becoming more complex. Sadly, apart from the centrally sponsored National Child Labour Project (NCLP) which is being implemented in Dimapur district alone, the State government has not been able to formulate any schemes or rehabilitation programmes for the victims. The NCLP project provides assistance to 20 schools run by different NGOs to impart non-formal education to child labours/street children. The project began in 2009 and so far about 100 children have been brought into the mainstream- a significant achievement for the partnering agencies. Although there are hitches in its implementation, Yanger expressed optimism about the success of the project.
There have been collaborative efforts from various State government agencies to help and rehabilitate the children, but nothing sustainable has emerged. It is feared that the problem not only exists in Dimapur where non-Naga children comprise a larger chunk of child labours. In the rural areas also significant numbers of children are being forced to work as child labours by their own parents. Yanger said that unless there is a total change in mindset, as well as collaborative effort among stakeholders and different departments, the state will continue to grapple with the issue.
The concert against child labour is scheduled for June 12 in Dimapur. The department will launch “childline” a tollfree helpline number. Yanger hopes that through this campaign, the department will be able to sensitize the young people. He said that the department is trying to expand its vision to other parts of the state, and hopes that in the coming years the campaign will hit other parts of the state as well.
