Drive to rescue child laborers from May 31

BELGAUM: The district administration will begin a six-day special drive from May 31 to eliminate child labour in the district.

Between 2001 and 2012, the district labour department identified 191 child labourers, of which the court convicted 37 of them and collected a fine of Rs 2,10,500.

Deputy commissioner Jayaram has called upon labour officers to initiate the drive to eliminate child labour. From May 31, labour officers with the help of other departments like social welfare and education will carry out the special drive. During the six-day drive, they will mainly focus on migrants, construction sites, domestic helps and shops.

During the inspection in 2011, the officers managed to rescue only five child labourers. While in 2012-13, 16 child labourers were rescued from across the district after rigorous inspection.

Once the child is rescued, they are sent to any of the two centres in Kanbargi and Shapur for non-formal education. In Kanpargi, there are 35 children and in Shapur there are 16 children. Here, the children are counselled by teachers who assess the potential and skills of the child and decide which class s/he should be admitted to for formal education.

Johnson, assistant labour commissioner, Belgaum division, pointed that though there had been an increase in the number of children rescued each year, child labour had come down drastically in Belgaum district. "People are aware of the consequences and hence, do not take any risk. From May 31, as per deputy commissioner's direction we will take out the anti-child labour drive across the district. Those who have employed child labourers will be fined a minimum of Rs 10,000 to a maximum of Rs 40,000. They will also be asked to undergo three months jail," he warned.