Child labour a shame on national life: NHRC Chairperson

New Delhi, June 28 (UNI) Describing bonded and child labour as a ''stigma and a shame on national life'', NHRC chairperson Justice S Rajendra Babu has said the existence of this menace is a challenge to the civilisation and a betrayal of constitutional culture.

''Bonded labour is a violation of human rights and contravention of international obligations... We have assured equality of status and opportunity for the dignity of the individual in our constitution yet much needs to be done,'' Justice Rajendra Babu said in his inaugural address at the 'National workshop on Bonded and Child Labour'.

He said by interpreting correctly the provisions of the Constitution the menace can be rooted out.

Stressing upon the need to psychologically rehabilitate the bonded labourers, he said physical and economical rehabilitation is also required to ensure that they do not fall prey again.

The Chairperson asked all representatives to carry out surveys in their respective states to ascertain the presence of bonded labour.

The day-long deliberations dealt with issues related to bonded and child labour, including constitutional provisions, bonded Labour System (Abolition Act) and disowning by states the existence of bonded/child labour.

The participants at the workshop said there is a need for a Nodal Agency, which could release funds for the rehabilitation of freed bonded labourers while stressing that panchayats should be made responsible for rehabilitation and the District Magistrates should be involved.

They also said that specific provisions should be made for traffickers or the labour suppliers who basically uproot the labourers from their native place.

The other topics included centrally sponsored Schemes, convergence of schemes for meaningful, permanent and effective rehabilitation, special problems on identification, release and rehabilitation of migrant bonded labourers (adults and children), child labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, National Child Labour Project, State Level Monitoring Committee, district and sub divisional level Vigilance Committees and orientation and Training of Members of Vigilance Committees and Magistrates.

Addressing the workshop, Union Labour Secretary Suddha Pillai called upon state officials to initiate projects so as to converge development schemes for the benefit of bonded labourers.

''Prosecution is an essential tool to do away with this problem.

Panchayati Raj institution can play an active role in identifying bonded labour,'' she observed.

Mr Pallai asked state authorities to organize workshops on bonded labour at district levels to sensitize the people.

Representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Employment and several states including, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Delhi participated in the workshop.

UNI