JAMMU, JUNE 12: To mark the World Day against Child Labour, office of the Labour Commissioner, J&K Government organized a series of awareness events to draw the attention of the employers and workers’ organizations as well as civil society towards ending child labour menace.
The observance began with a webinar followed by a panel discussion, highlighting key issues and collaborative strategies to combat Child Labour under the Theme “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: let’s speed up efforts”. The theme reflects both the progress achieved and the urgency to intensify action to meet global targets.
Esteemed speakers and stakeholders shared insights on child labour laws, reforms and challenges being faced to eradicate this menace of Child Labour. Labour Commissioner J&K Charandeep Singh underlined the efforts to eliminate the child labour and required measures to help them.
A Walkathon was organised to spread the message “Stop Child Labour” among the civil society, while a Nukkad Natak was staged at Bahu Plaza to raise public awareness and reinforce the collective responsibility towards making the region child labour free.
Speaking on the occasion, the Labour Commissioner said “Child Labour is a curse, it cannot be accepted. Let us, on this World Day Against Child Labour, pledge to connect every child with education, safety, dignity and values”.
He urged common masses, stakeholders and employers and workers’ organizations to unite against the practice by ensuring that every child receives education, security and dignity. “The Labour Department is organizing awareness camps from time to time to make the people aware about the rights of the Children and consequences of Child Labour and also taking effective measures in connivance with other departments to eradicate this curse of Child Labour and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of Child labour”, he added.
In addition, he said, the Department of Labour is making every effort to plug the loopholes which are being faced while enforcing the laws with respect to prohibition of Child Labour to make the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir free from child labour.
He added that Child Labour is robbing many children of their basic right to live with dignity, enjoy their childhood and attain their full development potential, so, it is the responsibility of each and every person to make effort in this regard to eradicate this Child Labour.
Observed annually on June 12, the World Day Against Child Labour was launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2002 to highlight the plight of child labourers worldwide.
The day aims to generate awareness and action to eliminate all forms of child labour, especially its worst forms, which include hazardous work, forced labour and exploitation. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation for many underprivileged children, when their schools closed and their parents lost their jobs/wages. Many children who dropped out of school and who were forced to work to supplement their family income, have not returned to school.
