Arya Ajit Mare | September 1, 2021
Action for the Rights of the Child (ARC) is a network of NGOs working in and around Pune city. This network was formed to ensure the necessary ratification to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in India. This network works on the ground level and helps children out from their past. ARC has been doing this work for the past 30 years. I am glad that I’m a part of this organization. This made me aware of so many facts that I wasn’t even aware of.
Recently attended webinar was on child labour. It was a very resourceful session. It made me aware of the basic laws which any layman person should know. It also broadened my view about child labour. I earlier thought that child labour is only restricted to working at small retail shops and beggary on roads but I was wrong this is not just it. In the session, different members of the NGO discussed their work and all troubles they face.
Mr. Anand Mahajan who is an advocate shared few points which were mainly on the law. These points were very crisp and were explained in a very simple manner. He spoke about The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 later on which was amended to The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016. He also mentioned that this act came into enforcement in September 2016. He gave us a brief overview of what the act tells which was indeed very helpful as it widened my horizon of knowledge and not only that I came to know the difference between adolescents (14-18) and children (below14) but also what are the types work which are prohibited till the age of 18 for anyone. He also stated the punishments which would have to be served by the person who hires any child below 14. It is mentioned in Sec14. that all hazardous occupations are prohibited for children and also the punishments are laid down in it. He also said that the child artists which are seen on the screen are an exception. He also mentioned some facts about the labour office and the task force. He also explained why filing an FIR or a formal registration of a complaint is necessary. It is necessary because the court works on evidence and to prove your point you will need proof. He also mentioned some acts and laws which work in hand with The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 and those are NALSA and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
As mentioned earlier, I came across things where child labour is not restricted to working at small retail shops and beggary on roads. The members of the NGO who shared their work spoke and their words were -
That the no. of kids working in activities like picking up garbage has increased and it was also mentioned that picking up garbage comes under hazardous activities. Mr. Aditya Vyas from Kagad Kach Patra Kashtkari Panchayat mentioned that he also spoke to the people and they responded that their kid's school is closed so they just take the kids with them so that in that way they will at least get more wage. The other point mentioned was also that there is no one to take care of the kid at home so they bring them to work with them.
Mr. Harish Phadke from Society for Door Step Schools that works for the upliftment of kids of parents who work in factories that make bricks. He raised points about the education of the kids and how these factory people exploit these tribal people and if they try to raise a point, they won’t allow them to work the next day.
Mr. Dnyaneshwar Jadhawar, a writer and social activist, raised a point about the kids working in the sugarcane factories and in the process of cutting sugarcane. He said that the people from many different places migrate mainly from the area of Latur, Nagpur, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, etc. with their family and then, later on, all the people working in the factory-raised a point about their kids’ education. Then the government came up with a solution that they will be given a card which would assist them to get education for their kids in the nearest government schools. This wasn’t that effective as the teachers mainly used to neglect these kids.
Mr. Rohit Yaligar’s NGO NYAAS works for the upliftment of the kids from the slums. He mentioned that these kids mainly try to work from an early age so that they can earn more money for their families and themselves. He also mentioned that this is to be seen less in settled slums. He and his team are providing education and providing basic needs to them.
Mr. Param Anand, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) set some general points that there is no general awareness among the people about child labour and how sensitive this topic is. He also mentioned that there is no proper data on child labour.
Mr. Sushant Asha, ARC Coordinator, presented a demo of using the PENCIL portal for reporting child labour cases. Using this simple platform, any citizen can report a working child found anywhere in the city. The concerned government department has to take an action on the cases reported by citizens through the PENCIL portal.
I learned that child labour is a very big issue and has to been taken seriously by both the parties the citizens and as well as the government. All the points mentioned by the panellists didn’t just encourage us to work forward with this work but also gave me a clear picture as to where we have to put in more effort. Through all the discussion what I could gather is that there is a lack of communication between NGOs and the government. I feel that the NGOs are trying their best from their side and so is the government. The government is bringing in new policies but they aren’t that effective or the case is that it isn’t being used. The NGOs are doing their best in all ways possible but if there isn’t mass awareness it is of no use. I feel that being a citizen of a country doesn’t just mean that we should only follow the rules for ourselves. Yes, the citizens must abide by the rules, but the citizens also have to help others in need so that the country progresses and reaches new heights.
I urge people to attend the sessions held by ARC. It will not only raise awareness about child labour and child marriage but will also give you a platform to raise your point of view. It will also help you to be a part of the change which has to be brought in society.
Lastly, I would like to quote that if you want to bring change, be the change yourself and everything will follow.
2nd-year Law Student
Symbiosis Law School, Pune
1st September 2021
