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| JK Govt fails to take action on ground | | Fighting child labour through laws | | Majid Ahmad
Srinagar, Aug 1: While the latest studies reveal that child labour was increasing alarmingly, Jammu and Kashmir Government has failed to prosecute those found employing children below the age of 14. While the census of 2001 counted 175000 child laborers in the state, a 2011 study said there are 2.5 lakh child laborers in Kashmir province alone.
The study "Child labor in Jammu and Kashmir - Social, Economical and Ethical dimension," conducted by Professor Fayaz Ahmad Neika, Associate Professor of Management at Central University here has shown drastic increase in child labor with youngsters under the age group of 6-12 being worst hit. A recent notice issued by Labor Department, J&K, reads: "Whosoever is found employing children below the age of 14 in hazardous occupations and processes is liable for prosecution under Child Labor (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986," The Act prescribes fine up to Rs 20000 or imprisonment up to one year or both to the employer of the child. The Government said there were 57 hazardous processes and 13 occupations where child labor has been completely banned in the state. "The list of hazardous occupations and processes has been expanded and two important occupations viz. employment of children as domestic servants, in dhabas, hotels, restaurants, motels, roadside tea stalls or other recreational centers were also brought under the prohibition list," the notice stated. However, the situation on ground belies government claims. "The Labour Department is in deep slumber and has failed to take any action against the violators. If Labour Department is issuing notices what stops them from taking action against those who violate the law," asked Iqbal Lone, a social worker. He said that government employees engaging children below the age of 14 for household work have to be penalized under rule of J&K Civil Services Conduct rules. "But hundreds of child labourers are working in the homes of government officers," he said and added the government has done very little to curb the issue or enforce existing labour laws. "The state's social welfare department and department of labour and employment do not even have basic data on the number of children working in the state," Lone claimed. The Central Asian Studies Department at the University of Kashmir conducted a study in 2009 which stated that nearly 34 per cent of child laborers have only received a fifth-grade education, while just over 66 per cent have only studied up until the eighth grade.
The study stated that 9.2 per cent of child laborers are between five and 10 years old, while 90 per cent of them are between 11 and 14 years of age. More than 80 per cent of the child workforce comes from families with six to 10 members, with just over 15 per cent from families of 11 to 15 members.
It stated that over 61 per cent of parents of child laborers are illiterate. The major reason for child labor, the study revealed, was poverty. |
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