Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KD/AF)

Mangalore, May 8: Assistant labour commissioner Mallikarjun S Thimmoli on Monday May 7 claimed that the district is almost free from child labour.

He was speaking at a seminar organized as a part of the Labourers’ Day at Kanara Small Scale Industries Association at Baikampady here.

The department had decided to declare the district free from child labour last year but due to technical reason could not carry out the same. In November 2006 the legislation intended to prevent child labour system came in to effect. All the children below 14 years, who work for household chores, too were brought under its purview.

Thimmoli said that it was necessary to have inspection in the district to go further in this regard. He also said that the district will be declared as ‘child labour-free district’ very soon.

Principal district and sessions judge H M Bharatesh in his presidential address said that the police should be cooperative and sympathetic towards the labourers when they fight for their rights.  If it is in connection with the rightful benefits let them fight for justice, do not stop them, he said.

SP Dayanand addressing labourers at the workplace spoke on the rights of the female labourers and sexual harassment on women at the workplace and expressed his happiness over the fact that sexual harassment at workplace was rare in DK. He also informed the labourers that they should think seriously about the new initiative of government in banning night shifts for women employees.

First additional senior civil judge N S Mamadapur was also present on this occasion.