Wednesday, 06 December 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
In light of the escalating cases of child labour in the city, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) is planning to instruct the district task force to carry out inspections at the main market. Member of SCPCR Vinod Kaparwan informed that incidents of child labour have been on the rise in the city. Recently, the district task force successfully rescued four children engaged in child labour. Further, an FIR has been lodged against the parents who coerce their children into such work, he said.
Kaparwan further emphasised that due to the surge in child labour cases in the city, the commission will formally direct the district task force through written correspondence to conduct thorough inspections at the shops located in Paltan Bazaar, which is recognised as the main market of the city. If any child is found to be involved in child labour at the shops in this market, stringent action will be taken against the shopkeeper by the commission, he said.
Many children in the city market claimed that lack of finance and other factors have contributed to child labour. Commenting on this, a child working at the cosmetic shop said that he has no alternative but to engage in child labor to earn a living for himself. He revealed that he works outside a cosmetic shop for approximately 12 hours a day, where his role is to stand and persuade customers to visit and make purchases at the shop.
Further another child working in an eatery said that due to lack of financial resources and pressure from his parents, he has been involved in child labor since the age of six years. Prolonged standing for many hours to sell products often results in physical difficulties such as joint pain, stress and other health issues, he said.
A pediatrician at the district hospital Dr Neetu Tomar said, “I have observed that child labor has become a pressing problem in this city, as I regularly encountered numerous children suffering from ailments like vitamin deficiency as a result of engaging in child labour. The extended hours of labour can negatively impact a child’s overall growth and development. Anaemia, skin allergies and vitamin deficiencies are common ailments that afflict children who are subjected to child labour. The government should take stringent measures to address this issue.”
She further added that it is also the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their child must not indulge in child labour as it can affect the child physically and mentally as well.
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