The Ministry of Labour and Employment has launched today a fortnight long nation-wide ‘Enforcement Drive against Child Labour’ in order to step up enforcement of the Child Labour Act.

The Union Labour and Employment Minister Shri Oscar Fernandes has already written letters to all the State Chief Ministers in this regard. The Union Labour Secretary is also in constant touch with all the State Chief Secretaries for follow up action on this issue.

During this drive, enforcement activities would be stepped up, awareness generation campaigns would be launched and sensitization workshops, etc. would be organized for various sections of the society against evil of the child labour across the country.

The States have been asked to draw up a plan for intensifying the enforcement drive and for launching an awareness generation campaign against child labour during this fortnight. Funds for this purpose have also been allocated to the States. During this period, the State Labour Departments would be conducting inspections, raids and rescue operations as well as intensive awareness generation campaigns through newspapers, electronic media, hoardings, etc.

Although the Government has been taking steps for rehabilitating child labour through the National Child Labour Project  Scheme, yet it was felt equally important that stringent enforcement measures are taken as deterrent against this evil.

For spreading awareness across the level, a multi media campaign has been launched and the Ministry has already released advertisements in prominent national and regional dailies for enhancing awareness against the evil of child labour. TV spots on Doordarshan National Network and other major channels will also be telecast during this period.

At the conclusion of the drive, the Union Labour Minister would review the action taken by the States in this regard in the national level consultations.