Rescue Operation Uncovers Child Labour in Hajo
Child Labour Rescue Efforts in Hajo
The rescued children
Hajo, June 26: A special enforcement initiative led by the Kamrup district child labour task force resulted in the rescue of four child labourers in Hajo and Kalitakuchi on Friday. Legal actions have been initiated against two employers for illegally employing minors in hazardous conditions.
This operation was a collaborative effort involving the District Child Labour Task Force, the Assam Centre for Rural Development (ACRD), and local police, as part of a month-long campaign aimed at combating child labour throughout the district.
During the enforcement drive, officials discovered four children working in commercial settings, such as a motor garage and a welding shop in Kalitakuchi. Among the rescued individuals, one is just 13 years old, while the others are older adolescents.
Following their rescue, FIRs were filed at Hajo Police Station against the proprietors of the motor garage and welding shop for their unlawful employment of child labour.
Munmun Sadhonidhar Neog, the District Child Labour Prevention Officer, noted that the operation revealed not only illegal employment practices but also the socio-economic challenges that compel children to enter the workforce.
"As part of our ongoing campaign against child labour, we conducted inspections in Hajo and Kalitakuchi, leading to the rescue of four children. Alarmingly, one child's mother, a single parent, expressed her reliance on her son's earnings due to her inability to provide for the family. This underscores the urgent need for increased awareness regarding government welfare programs available for at-risk families," she stated.
Neog mentioned that the rescued children would be presented to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which will manage their rehabilitation and ensure they receive the necessary support and protection.
"The Kamrup Child Welfare Committee is overseeing the rehabilitation process, while we have initiated legal proceedings against the employers. We have observed a troubling rise in child labour in certain areas of Hajo. During today's operation, some children fled from their workplaces upon noticing the officials' arrival, indicating that awareness and strict enforcement must go hand in hand," she added.
Another official involved in the operation remarked that the rescued children were engaged in physically strenuous jobs that are prohibited for minors.
"We rescued four children, including a 13-year-old, who were working in a motor garage and a welding shop. Legal actions have been initiated against the owners of both establishments. Our efforts to combat child labour are ongoing, and we will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to enhance enforcement and prevent such violations," the official stated.
The operation was spearheaded by District Child Labour Prevention Officer Munmun Sadhonidhar Neog and Labour Officer Darpan Goswami, along with ACRD Coordinator Mostafa Ali, Labour Department officials, police personnel, and members of the district child labour task force.
Officials emphasized that while stringent legal actions against employers are crucial, the eradication of child labour also necessitates ongoing public awareness, enhanced social protection measures, and improved access to education and government welfare schemes for economically disadvantaged families.