Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 10 2009:
A campaign against using children as labourers was launched today under the joint aegis of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and Labour Department.
The inaugural function of the campaign held at Lainingthou Puhtiba ground in Imphal East was attended by AITUC secretary L Sotinkumar, Labour Inspector E Tomba, AITUC State president Th Yaiskul and former Principal of DM College Th Bedamani as presidium members.
Speaking at the occasion, Sotinkumar said the primary reasons for growth of child labour are the large number of unemployed persons and the paltry sum of Rs 81 fixed by the State Government as daily minimum wage.
At a time when a kilogram of rice costs more than Rs 20, daily wage given under NREGS is meagre small.
It is almost impossible to manage a family and send children to school with the meagre wage of Rs 81.50 given under NREGS as daily wage.
Under such circumstances, many parents don't bother to send their children as labourer just to augment family income by a very little amount, Sotinkumar observed.
Noting that today's children are future pillars of society, he stressed on the importance of educating children and ensuring their rights.
Claiming that the All India Trade Union Congress has been standing against using children as labourers, Sotinkumar said the campaign will cover all the districts of Manipur as it requires collective understanding and awareness in the fight against engaging children as labourers.
Saying that Labour Department is implementing the Elimination of Child Labour scheme, Labour Inspector I Tomba highlighted significance of such campaign aimed at creating awareness among the masses about child labour.
He said efforts are being made to rehabilitate all child labourers in each district and to send them to school and give medical support and welfare funds.