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NHRC finds project to end child labour slipping

The National Human Rights Commission has noted serious lapses in the implementation of laws to prevent the use of child labour in the Ferozabad glass (bangles) industry of Uttar Pradesh.

An NHRC team headed by member Virendra Dayal found during a visit that investigation and detection of child labour and prosecution of offenders are not being carried out at the desired pace.

NHRC sources said the Commission, which conducted a study in the district, was unhappy with the slow progress of the project to eradicate the use of child labour.

The team found that the number of inspections under the Factories Act and the Child Labour (Regulation and Prohibition) Act had come down drastically from 119 and 242 respectively in 1995 to just one and four in 1997 and three (under both heads) till August this year.

The sources said the Commission told the state and district administrations to be more vigilant.

The NHRC study also found shortcomings in the Child Labour Act that need to be rectified immediately.

The Union labour ministry has assured the Commission that amendments to the act are in the final stage of preparation and the NHRC's view will be elicited before they are tabled in Parliament, the sources said.

Expressing concern at the poor functioning of the special schools set up to rehabilitate child labourers, the Commission asked the district administration to streamline the disbursement of salaries to teachers and stipends to the parents of the children, and to ensure regular coverage under the mid-day meal scheme.

The Union labour ministry was also told to expedite the release of funds for the purpose.

The Commission was severely critical about the state of enforcement of the Factories Act. The team found that attendance registers were not being properly maintained by the units nor were the names of all workers present and working entered.

UNI

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