Ministry launches nation-wide enforcement drive against child labo

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) The Ministry of Labour and Employment today launched a fortnight-long nation-wide 'Enforcement Drive against Child Labour' in order to step up enforcement of the Child Labour (Prohibition&Regulation) Act.

Union Labour and Employment Minister Oscar Fernandes has letters to all the state Chief Ministers in this regard. The Union Labour Secretary is also in constant touch with all the state Chief Secretaries for follow up action on this issue.

During this drive, enforcement activities would be stepped up, awareness generation campaigns would be launched and sensitisation workshops, etc would be organized for various sections of the society against the practice of child labour across the country.

The States have been asked to draw up a plan for intensifying the enforcement drive and for launching an awareness generation campaign against child labour during this fortnight.

Funds for this purpose have also been allocated to the States.

During this period, the State Labour Departments would be conducting inspections, raids and rescue operations as well as intensive awareness generation campaigns through newspapers, electronic media, hoardings, etc.

Although the Government has been taking steps for rehabilitating the through the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme, yet equally important and stringent enforcement measures should be taken for deterring this evil.

For spreading awareness the Ministry has released advertisements in prominent national and regional dailies. TV spots on Doordarshan and other major channels will also be telecasted during this period.

At the conclusion of the drive, the Union Labour Minister would review the action taken by the States in this regard.

UNI