Hyderabad: Lack of strict punishment is encouraging people to engage children for work. Any person booked under the Bonded Labour Act is fined Rs 20,000, which is not a big amount for the employer.
Often, they pay the penalty and engage children again. Experts say that an act on the lines of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act should be brought in to eradicate child labour.
The Child Labour Prevention and Regulation Act says that any child below 14 years, cannot be employed and children in the age group of 15 and above can work in non-hazardous circumstances.
A proposed amendment says children can work after school hours engaging themselves in traditional family occupation like farming, beedi making etc. But it should be ensured that they attend school. The bill is pending in Parliament due to many organisations opposing it and the union government reworking suggested amendments.
“Juvenile Justice Act, which applies to kids under 18 years age was introduced in 2010. It took years before it was implemented strictly. The CLPR Act in the title itself regulates child labour.
A strict act to eradicate it completely should be brought in,” child rights expert P. David Raj said. Though the United Nations Child Rights Convention declared children under 18 as minors, there are still discussions on the age criteria.
“In addition to implementation of laws, education should be made compulsory at least till Class XII and instead of monitoring them as per the CLPR Amendment Act, alternatives to learn vocational or traditional jobs should be implemented to help them support their family,” said advocate Mamatha Raghuveer, founder of Tharuni.
