Labour amendment opposed by kids

SHILLONG, JUNE 12: Child domestic workers in Meghalaya opposed and expressed reservation against the Narendra Modi led Centre government’s decision to amend the existing ‘Child Labour Act’.

“Since we are poor, our voices against any violence will be suppressed if the government amends the child labour act which in fact has been protecting our rights,” a 12 year old B Disiar told newsmen at press conference to observe ‘Anti Child Labour Day’ on Friday.

Earlier last month, the union cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved amendment of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act-1986, to allow children below 14 to work in family related works after the school hours and during vacation time.

Disiar, who is a domestic worker and a class 6 student, said this move of the government will also take away rights to education of a child.

Expressing similar views, her friends-Badashisha, Alkamary and Bashisha said, “We urged the Government of India (GOI) to reconsider its decision to amend the child labour Act.”

These children are from the Child Rights Movement under the supervision and care of the North Eastern Region Domestic Workers Movement (NERDWM).

The movement has identified around 650 children from different parts of the Shillong and formed around 20 CRM Units for them to meet once a month and discuss issues and problems faced by them.

“We have discussed with them (children) about how they feel about this issue, since the centre has failed to take children’s opinion before  making such decision,” NERDWM programme coordinator Wanpunhun Kharsyntiew said.

According to her, while appreciating the attempts of the government to ban child labour in the hazardous industries completely but at the same time said that making a provision in Section 3 of Child Labour Act-1986 allowing children below 14 years old to work in home based business will create a loophole to promote child labour.

“While it is also normal that children help their parents after their school hours, legalizing the work will open the door to exploitation of child labour,” Kharsyntiew said.

She further stated that such a law will adversely affect girl child who are often forced into domestic work and from minorities who work because of terrible poverty ultimately denying them the joys of childhood.

Terming the move of the Centre as ‘anti-children’, she said, “We want to ask the one who sit and draft the amendment are they willing to send their own children to work.”

She reiterated that legalizing work will encourage forceful employment of children.

The NERDWM is also contemplating to send a postal campaign to the Prime Minister urging him not to amend the child labour act. “We will also seek audience with Governor on the issue,” Kharsyntiew said while urging all the MPs from the region to extend their support for interest and security of every child.- By Our Reporter