Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 19: Acting on a public complaint received by the Child Helpline, members of the District Task Force Committee conducted a surprise inspection on September 19, Thursday, at Bunder (dock) in Mangaluru. During the inspection, two adolescent labourers were found. They have been presented before the Child Welfare Committee for rehabilitation.

The operation was a joint effort involving officials from the Labour, Agriculture, Education, Sericulture, Police, Backward Classes Welfare, District Child Protection Unit, Child Helpline, and other departments.

Child labor is considered a social evil, and employing children below the age of 14 in any institution is strictly prohibited. Employment of adolescents aged 15 to 18 is regulated, allowing work only in non-hazardous industries, while employment in hazardous industries is banned.

Violators of the law face penalties of up to Rs 50,000 and imprisonment for up to two years. An FIR will be filed against the guilty employers by the police.

The Labour Department’s release has urged the public to report any instances of child or adolescent labour to the Child Helpline (1098) or contact the Labour Department at 0824-2435343, 2433132, 2437479, or the District Child Labour Project Society at 2433131.