Srinagar, Oct 14: Minister for Labour and Employment and Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik today said that serious initiatives were underway to eradicate child labour through the mechanism of District Level Vigilance Committees, rehabilitation fund and State Level Advisory Board.
 Addressing a valedictory function of 4-day orientation programme on implementation of child labour prohibition and regulation Act 1986 and effective enforcement of Building and other construction workers Act 1996 organized by V V Giri National Lahour Institute, New Delhi in collaboration with Labour Department here, Abdul Gani Malik said although child labour situation in J&K was not so grim as per available statistics, yet migratory population in the State was a matter of concern as good number of children from other States work in dhabas, hotels and other business concerns.
 He said government had made 11 National Child Labour Project Schemes in Udhampur and six in Srinagar functional to control the menace of child labour by way of extending educational facilities to such children.
 Similarly, he said, welfare schemes had been framed for construction workers which include relief in cases of injuries, death, disability, education of children and their marriages. Registration of workers under this sector is in progress and collection of cess has touched Rs 80 crore, he added.
 Labour Commissioner, Shahid Inayatullah said the Labour department was entrusted with the task of implementation of around 25 Labour laws including tackling the child labour, their rehabilitation and welfare of construction workers. Although every enactment is important, however, it may not be out of place to mention that the scenario of child labour and plight of construction workers do catch public eye, therefore, eradication of child labour, their rehabilitation and welfare of construction workers has attained priority with the State Government through Labour department, he added.
 He said steps were underway to eradicate even the negligible part of it existing. In this endeavor almost every civilian has a role and the government has empowered officials from the lower rung to the highest levels to play their part.” Chowkidars, Panchayat Inspectors, BDOs, VLWOs, Assistant Labour Commissioners, Deputy Labour Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of the districts have been conferred powers under various provisions of the said Act, he said.
 Shahid hoped that the trainees would benefit from this programme to the extent of excellence as the same would go a long way in enriching and improving their capacities and capabilities.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
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