Child labour acts flouted by political parties in Dhubri, claims social worker

Child labour acts are not only widely flouted by various establishments which engage children in various works but also by political parties

A Correspondent

DHUBRI: Child labour acts are not only widely flouted by various establishments which engage children in various works but also by political parties which put placards in their hands and make the children protest on the streets. A complaint was filed against this illegal practice by political parties before the Dhubri Deputy Commissioner and Dhubri Assistant Labour Commissioner by an active social worker, Simul Sarkar of Dhubri.

In his complaint letter, Sarkar alleged that while a section of business establishments in Dhubri district are violating child labour acts, some political parties too are not lagging behind in this matter. They are dragging innocent children to the streets in the name of protest and agitation.

Talking to The Sentinel, Sarker said, "It has been increasingly found that children are made to go out into the streets in the name of public protest. With placards in their hands, these children are being exploited. This is a very dangerous trend as children will grow up learning to protest and violate the laws of the land."

Sarker informed that there were many acts enacted to protect children from exploitation, including Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986; Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005; Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, or Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009 ; and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Further, the Constitution of India has also provided many safeguards for children like. "Article 15 (3) states that the State must make special provisions for children," Sarkar added. He said that apart from these acts, Article 39 of Part IV asks the State to direct its policy towards securing (among other things) that children are not abused and not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age and strength. In view of this violation, Sarkar demanded the Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Labour Commissioner to take steps to stop child abuse and ensure protection for children.

Also Watch: Tezpur Police Busts International Car Theft Racket

Also Read: Webinar held for Meghalaya police officials on Crime Against Women & Children

Dhubri