Baramulla: The Child Welfare team and Labour Officer on Friday jointly launched a day-long anti-begging and child labour drive in Sopore town of Baramulla district.
The drive was launched on the directions of District Child Protection Officer, Baramulla of Mission Vatsalya, Sajad Ahmed.
During the drive, the team of Child Welfare members along with Labour Officer Waqar Ahmed, members of Child Line, team of District Child Protection Unit visited the shops, manufacturing units, factories and restaurants to check the menace of child labor in the town. “The child labor is a growing problem in our society. Little kids can be seen working in hazardous areas, begging in streets and working on meager salaries in shops and other working units. Our main motive is to address this issue and rescue these children on time,” said Nazia Nabi, member of Child Welfare Committee.
She further added that children are forced to work in restaurants, shops and factories to support their families who are stricken by poverty and other tragedies of life.
“Our main aim is to reach out to these children and help to create a conducive environment for their proper care and protection,” she said.
“The juvenile justice Act ensures that every child is protected and gets proper care. The JJ Act prioritizes facilitating the stay of children with their families rather than care homes; children can be moved to care homes only after alternative solutions fail,” said Sameer Ahmed, Child Welfare Committee member Baramulla.
During the drive 20 children were found involved in child labor in various shops and factories. The owners of these factories were warned to desist from engaging children in work or else strict action will be taken against anyone found to be indulging in such practices.
“Children are the most valuable assets of any society, they are the most innocent and sensitive souls who need to be dealt with care and affection and it is our collective responsibility to protect their rights and stop them from falling prey to any kind of violence,” said Muzamil Bashir of District Child Protection Unit, Baramulla.