Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Feb 8: Following a public complaint that child labourers were employed  in a gold shop near Chittaranjan Circle in the city, the labour department, district child labour, district child protection unit, Makkala Sahayavani (child helpline), women's police department and district civic committee conducted a joint operation on Tuesday February 8.

As many as three child labourers who were engaged in industrial gold polishing were rescued and resettled in a children's orphanage as per the orders of the child welfare committee.

The project director of district child labour project association of labour department Amrata, labour inspector Sanjay, child protection unit staff Mahesh and Yogeesh, child helpline staff Jyoti and Prakash, city police and others participated in the rescue operation.

The department has also requested the public to inform the helpline, if the sergeants find children employed for work in their vicinity. The members of the public have been told to immediately call Makkala Sahayavani (child helpline) -1098 and police department helpline-112 to help protect the children.

Employing child labour is a punishable offence. Employing minors under the age of 18 to work in dangerous industries is a punishable offence and can be arrested without a warrant.

The law provides for a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 2 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000.