National Child Labour Project in Coimbatore rescues 13 children from child labour No abuse, harassments or child marriage has been recorded against the female children rescued by their team so far.
Coimbatore: The National Child Labour Project in Coimbatore under the Ministry of Labour, Government of India has been battling on the frontlines even amidst the tough pandemic times to eliminate child labour in the district, by undertaking several measures and continuously monitoring rescues along with its teams.
Working on the rescue operation, the team headed by its Project Director, D V Vijayakumar said, "We have rescued as many as 13 children who were child labourers in the district, working in various centres, organizations and factories.While most of these children belonging to different age groups have been rescued, the rescue operation could be successful due to the many phone calls received from the general public.
"As soon as we rescue children, we produce them before the Child Welfare Committee which proceeds to identifying their families for their reintegration,” revealed Dr D V Vijayakumar. He further added that the reintegration after rescuing the children fell in the year of 2020-21.
Stressing on the importance of rehabilitation of these children, the Project Director also said it has become more critical due to the Covid-19 pandemic.“Every child we rescue needs a remedy and for that we send them to rehabilitation centres. However, with Covid-19 sweeping across the nation, it has become quite critical for us. It is learnt that the ongoing crisis which has cost many parents their jobs has been instrumental in children being forced to work as child labourers for meagre wages," explained Dr. D V Vijayakumar.
He further said that "The Department had conducted 77 raids in the district thus far upon a tip off. Child labour can be eliminated together by both the officials and public and hence I request the public to report if they come across such instances. However, a notice cautioning that a fine of Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50,000 or three-year imprisonments will be levied for appointing a child as a labourer has also been put up in all places of economic activity."
"No abuse, harassments or child marriage has been recorded against the female children rescued by the team thus far. No previous data for the last few years and age groups of the children have been shared by the project director," he added.
Working on the rescue operation, the team headed by its Project Director, D V Vijayakumar said, "We have rescued as many as 13 children who were child labourers in the district, working in various centres, organizations and factories.While most of these children belonging to different age groups have been rescued, the rescue operation could be successful due to the many phone calls received from the general public.
"As soon as we rescue children, we produce them before the Child Welfare Committee which proceeds to identifying their families for their reintegration,” revealed Dr D V Vijayakumar. He further added that the reintegration after rescuing the children fell in the year of 2020-21.
Stressing on the importance of rehabilitation of these children, the Project Director also said it has become more critical due to the Covid-19 pandemic.“Every child we rescue needs a remedy and for that we send them to rehabilitation centres. However, with Covid-19 sweeping across the nation, it has become quite critical for us. It is learnt that the ongoing crisis which has cost many parents their jobs has been instrumental in children being forced to work as child labourers for meagre wages," explained Dr. D V Vijayakumar.
He further said that "The Department had conducted 77 raids in the district thus far upon a tip off. Child labour can be eliminated together by both the officials and public and hence I request the public to report if they come across such instances. However, a notice cautioning that a fine of Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50,000 or three-year imprisonments will be levied for appointing a child as a labourer has also been put up in all places of economic activity."
"No abuse, harassments or child marriage has been recorded against the female children rescued by the team thus far. No previous data for the last few years and age groups of the children have been shared by the project director," he added.