Karnataka to eradicate Child Labour in Farm Sector

Bangalore, Sep 13 (UNI) In a pioneer attempt to eradicate 'Child Labour in Farm Sector', Karnataka has directed all the agri-based industries to submit a declaration form with regard to non-employment of child labours in their units.

Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of a workshop organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) here today, State Agriculture Commissioner Rajaneesh Goel said the Government was taking steps to eradicate child labour from the state.

Mr Goel said it was mandatory, from this year, for the agri-based entrepreneurs to submit their declaration forms before opening their units. Eighty per cent of the child labourers in the agriculture sector comprised girls, he added.

Stating that there was no infrastructure problem to provide rehabilitation to the children rescued from their masters, he said there was a need to inculcate awareness among the farmers by making it a mass movement.

The removal of child labour from the agriculture sector would boost the export of farm produce in the state, he added.

UNI