Lack of coordination affects child labour fight in Karnataka

Lack of coordination is affecting eradication of child labour in the state. In 2009, the government formed a coordination committee between labour and education departments to tackle the issue. The committee met only once and nothing concrete materialised.

The labour and education departments do not have a working relationship to handle the issues. Vasudev Sharma, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights member and coordination committee member, said the labour department dealt with issues concerning children below 14 years, while the education department with those in the age group of six to 14 years.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act handles children below 18 years. This had created confusion among officials, he said. “One agency alone will not be able to prevent child labour. It can be done in coordination with various stakeholders,” he added.
NGOs say there is ‘mischief’ in the Child Labour Prevention and Rehabilitation Act. It has not tackled situations where children work in non-hazardous conditions.

The labour department will look into school dropouts turning to child labour. Labour commissioner in-charge Gurudas Bhat said the government will not accept that dropouts become part of the child labour force.