5-hr workday, adequate rest mandatory for child artistes

A child artiste should not be made to work for more than five hours a day and not more than three hours without rest, latest government rules state.

The new amendments to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Rules also make it mandatory for the producer of any audio-visual media production or commercial to obtain permission from the District Magistrate for involving a child in their programmes.

“No child shall be allowed to work for more than five hours in a day, and for not more than three hours without rest,” the new insertion in the rules on engaging child artistes said.

“No child shall be made to participate in any audio-visual and sports activity, including informal entertainment activity, against his will and consent,” it added.

All screening of films and television programmes involving children should also have a disclaimer specifying that all measures were taken to ensure that there has been no abuse, neglect or exploitation of child artistes during the entire process of the shooting.

Education facilities
The producers should also ensure appropriate facilities for education of the child so that there is no discontinuity in his/her learning at school. “No child shall be allowed to work consecutively for more than 27 days,” it said.

Another point in the rules is the depositing of at least 20% of the income earned by the child in a fixed deposit account in a nationalised bank in the name of the child which may be credited on attaining majority.

The shows on television include reality shows, quiz and talent shows. These rules also cover the participation of a child artiste as an anchor of a show or events.

The issue of presence of child artistes in reality shows and other programmes in entertainment industry had raised a furore earlier.

In March, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour had expressed concern that child labour is rampant in  households and entertainment industry. It had then asked the government to study the situation in these sectors and take remedial steps.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had earlier come out with guidelines to regulate child participation in TV serials, reality shows and advertisements.