Action Plan for eradicating Child/Bonded labour launched in UP
A project for eradicating child/bonded labour in the carpet belt of Uttar Pradesh, in accordance with an Action Plan envisaged by the National Human Rights Commission was launched at a major function organised by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in Varanasi on 30 March 1999. The Minister for Labour, U.P., Smt.Padma Dwivedi, inaugurated the programme. Justice V.S.Malimath, Member of the Commission, who was the Chief Guest at the function, released the project and the Action Plan to combat this social evil. Shri Lakha, Labour Secretary, welcomed the gathering and Shri Raju Sharma, Labour Commissioner, explained the main features of the project and the Action Plan. Shri A.P. Verma, Principal Secretary, I.D.C., heralded the launching of the project as a significant milestone in the effort to abolish child and bonded labour in the country and stated that the Government of U.P. will do everything possible to undertake this project successfully. The President of the Carpet Export Council, and the President of the Carpet Manufacturer’s Association offered their full support and cooperation.
The project and Action Plan were prepared by the Labour Commissioner of U.P. under the guidance of the National Human Rights Commission following an initiative taken by the Commission. The project envisages making an inventory of all the looms located in the carpet-belt of U.P., consisting of the Districts of Mirzapur, Badohi and Varanasi. The statutory authorities would, after visiting each loom, collect the relevant information in regard to the loom, the employer, the labourers employed, their age, the terms and conditions of their employment, including wages. If any children or bonded labourers are found, they would be rescued and steps taken for their rehabilitation. Children would be admitted in special schools established specifically for the purpose in the locality. Steps would also be taken to grant relief in accordance with the judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of M.C.Mehta vs. State of Tamil Nadu (JT 1996(11) S.C.685). All the particulars would be entered on a form to which the employer would affix his signature accepting the correctness of the information furnished therein. He would also undertake not to employ any child below the age of 14. Any change in employment has to be communicated to the concerned officer. New employment shall be provided only on production of a certificate of age. Vigilance bodies will be constituted consisting of prominent persons in the village/town to keep a watch over the situation and to inform the concerned officer about the employment of any child or bonded labourer in any of the looms in their village/town. The teams will cover all the places where looms are located in all the districts in the carpet-belt. The National Human Rights Commission will monitor the entire work. Upon the completion of this action plan, the Labour Commissioner should be in a position to certify that the child/bonded labour in the carpet industry in the carpet-belt of U.P. has been eradicated.
At the function following the launch of the project, on behalf of the manufacturers, a point was raised in regard to the vicarious liability of the primary manufacturers. Justice Malimath has asked them to send their representation to the Commission and has assured them that the Commission would examine and take such action as may be warranted.
The project and Action Plan were prepared by the Labour Commissioner of U.P. under the guidance of the National Human Rights Commission following an initiative taken by the Commission. The project envisages making an inventory of all the looms located in the carpet-belt of U.P., consisting of the Districts of Mirzapur, Badohi and Varanasi. The statutory authorities would, after visiting each loom, collect the relevant information in regard to the loom, the employer, the labourers employed, their age, the terms and conditions of their employment, including wages. If any children or bonded labourers are found, they would be rescued and steps taken for their rehabilitation. Children would be admitted in special schools established specifically for the purpose in the locality. Steps would also be taken to grant relief in accordance with the judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of M.C.Mehta vs. State of Tamil Nadu (JT 1996(11) S.C.685). All the particulars would be entered on a form to which the employer would affix his signature accepting the correctness of the information furnished therein. He would also undertake not to employ any child below the age of 14. Any change in employment has to be communicated to the concerned officer. New employment shall be provided only on production of a certificate of age. Vigilance bodies will be constituted consisting of prominent persons in the village/town to keep a watch over the situation and to inform the concerned officer about the employment of any child or bonded labourer in any of the looms in their village/town. The teams will cover all the places where looms are located in all the districts in the carpet-belt. The National Human Rights Commission will monitor the entire work. Upon the completion of this action plan, the Labour Commissioner should be in a position to certify that the child/bonded labour in the carpet industry in the carpet-belt of U.P. has been eradicated.
At the function following the launch of the project, on behalf of the manufacturers, a point was raised in regard to the vicarious liability of the primary manufacturers. Justice Malimath has asked them to send their representation to the Commission and has assured them that the Commission would examine and take such action as may be warranted.