Workshop on Elimination of child labour system in Orissa
Mindset of parents, working children, employers and also that of the civil society is one of the major factors having significant bearing on the phenomena of child labour. Observing this, while addressing a workshop on child labour in Bhubaneshwar, Justice Shri B.C. Patel, Member, NHRC, said that a number of empirical studies have been conducted leading to identification of many factors responsible for this unpardonable crime against humanity. The workshop, jointly organised by the Orissa government and NHRC on the 22nd August, 2009, aimed at sensitizing different functionaries involved in the task of eliminating child labour.
Some important observations and suggestions made by Member Justice Shri B.C. Patel are summarised below.
" Childhood is meant for reading, writing, painting, sculpting, cartooning and not for weaving durries and carpets.
" Children with nimble fingers are more productive as workers in certain industries is a myth.
" Elders in particular need to understand that the gains from subjecting boys & girls to work at a tender age are temporary compared to the damage these can cause in the long term to children's health, safety, security and overall development.
" A number of adverse consequences such as early aging, dissipation of energy, stunted growth, exposure to occupational diseases follow, if a person starts doing work regardless of the minimum age barrier.
" In ordinary legal parlance a child is a person below 14 years of age. That is how most of the laws have defined children as also Article 24 of the Constitution.
" There is a need for creating a synergy between Article 24 and 21A of the Constitution to ensure effective prohibition of child labour.
" Article 24 says that employment of children stands prohibited in factories, mines and all other forms of hazardous employment. Article 21A speaks of the direct responsibility of the state to ensure right of access to education as a guaranteed fundamental right for all children in the age group of fourteen to sixteen years.
" Organising massive awareness campaign, using print and electronic media, on the ills of child labour is the need of the hour.
" State level action plans should be drawn up in this regard. A comprehensive blue print for drawing up such an action plan has been drawn up by NHRC's, Special Rapporteur, Dr. Lakshmidhar Mishra. This may guide the administrators at different levels for eradication of child labour.
Some important observations and suggestions made by Member Justice Shri B.C. Patel are summarised below.
" Childhood is meant for reading, writing, painting, sculpting, cartooning and not for weaving durries and carpets.
" Children with nimble fingers are more productive as workers in certain industries is a myth.
" Elders in particular need to understand that the gains from subjecting boys & girls to work at a tender age are temporary compared to the damage these can cause in the long term to children's health, safety, security and overall development.
" A number of adverse consequences such as early aging, dissipation of energy, stunted growth, exposure to occupational diseases follow, if a person starts doing work regardless of the minimum age barrier.
" In ordinary legal parlance a child is a person below 14 years of age. That is how most of the laws have defined children as also Article 24 of the Constitution.
" There is a need for creating a synergy between Article 24 and 21A of the Constitution to ensure effective prohibition of child labour.
" Article 24 says that employment of children stands prohibited in factories, mines and all other forms of hazardous employment. Article 21A speaks of the direct responsibility of the state to ensure right of access to education as a guaranteed fundamental right for all children in the age group of fourteen to sixteen years.
" Organising massive awareness campaign, using print and electronic media, on the ills of child labour is the need of the hour.
" State level action plans should be drawn up in this regard. A comprehensive blue print for drawing up such an action plan has been drawn up by NHRC's, Special Rapporteur, Dr. Lakshmidhar Mishra. This may guide the administrators at different levels for eradication of child labour.