End Child Labour

As the people across the globe observed World Day against Child Labour, the child labour in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir continue to exists where not only the people but the government too has been showing least interest in curbing such an happening. The children could be seen working at various places including with mechanics, shopkeepers and other places. Nonetheless, one fails to understand why the concerned department has failed to act swiftly against such happenings. Child labouring is a crime, but here in J&K, it continues to exist without catching the eye of law enforcement agencies as well as the concerned department. The elimination of child labour should be our main agenda as it is not only a legal offense but unacceptable in a civilized society. According to the figures available, the Integrated Child Protection Services established District Child Protection units and constituted Child Welfare Committees in each district of Jammu and Kashmir and from Jan 2020 to May 2021, it has rescued 30 children from child trafficking besides retrieving 215 children engaged in child labour, among them 50 were not from J&K. However, a huge chunk of children especially in Srinagar areas continued to be engaged in labouring, thus putting a question mark over the functioning of the department. The concerned should act now and ensure that those involved be penalized and the children are rescued well on time. The department should also come up with helpline numbers so that the people can contact the officials when required.