Hasten recovery of fines in child labour cases: DC

Expressing displeasure over the slow pace of administrative process in the prohibition measures of child labour, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim directed the Assistant Labour Commissioner to hasten recovery process of fine amount from defaulters who deploy child labourers.

Chairing a meet of district child labour planning association, he told the officials concerned to procure medical certificate regarding age confirmation of child labourers, from hospitals, within a month.

He said at present the process of procuring medical certificate from hospitals is consuming four months, which hinders the related administrative procedures, affecting the rehabilitation of child labourers.

Assistant Labour Commissioner D G Nagesh said recovery of amount from owners who deployed child labourers, and who were booked in 2013-14 and 2014-15, have been pending till date.

He said most child labourers are from families of migrating labourers and deployed in construction and domestic labour. Some work in road construction sites. The children deployed by parents in agricultural work, are also considered child labourers. Workshops have been planned for stree shakthi groups on child labour. Such workshops have already been conducted in Bantwal, Belthangadi and Puttur.

Jagruthi Jathas have also been held.
In 2014-15, 1516 organisations were raided and 19 child labourers were rescued. Among them, nine, who were below 14, were handed over to Child welfare committee.  Interest obtained from Rs 20,000 collected by the owners who deployed child labourers will be utilised for the education of child labourers.

Stickers on prohibition of child labour, punishment for deploying child labourers and details containing child help line, will be printed shortly and pasted in various places like hotels, industries and other places, he said.

The DC told the labour department to display boards at Jyothi junction and near Wenlock hospital, on prohibition of child labour.

Also an internal meeting of 11 departments should be conducted. The children who sell balloons on beaches and variety of things in traffic, should also be considered as child labourers, he said adding it should be seen to that the rescued child labourers get educational facilities.  CWC Chairperson Nikesh Shetty, Social worker Hilda Rayappan were present among others.