A National Consultation on Child Domestic Work and Trafficking was organized in New Delhi by Save the Children to examine issues and concerns of Child Domestic Work and Trafficking with a view to suggest policy changes in specific reference to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012. The Union Minister for State (IC) Labour and Employment, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya delivered the key note address.
The Minister informed that amendments to the proposed Child labour Act has been introduced in Rajya Sabha and hoped that it will be passed. The amendment proposes to completely ban child labour upto the age of 14 years. The penalties for any violation of the provision of the proposed Law are being made more stringent. The proposed amendments also provide for not allowing adolescent between the age 14 - 18 years to work in hazardous occupations and processes. He also emphasized on strict implementation of the law.
The Minister also informed that the rescued children between the age 9 – 14 will be rehabilitated by providing by them bridge education and skill training in special training centres. The children between the age 5 – 8 years are sent to main stream schools after being rescued.
The Minister exhorted the need for greater involvement of all including society, NGOs to eradicate child labour. He informed that the Government is determined to protect the interests of the children and ensure all the children go to schools.