06/09/2021
Say No to child labour
The central legislature of India has made substantial changes in the provisions of the Child Labour(Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 in the year 2016 and the said amendments have been made effective from July 30, 2016. Now, one can not justify employment of child labour below the age of 14 years, except his/her own children in certain circumstances without hampering their fundamental right to elementary education. Thus, a complete prohibition has been imposed on employment of child labour below the age of 14 years in any establishment whether hazardous or not under Section 3 of the Act. Now, a child is permitted to work only to help family, in family enterprise or as child artist after school hours or during vacations. The amendment has introduced the concept of adolescent labour for the first time. The Amendment Act permits employment of adolescent labour except in hazardous processes or occupations. An adolescent has been defined as a person between the ages of 14-18 years.
The Act provides under Section 14 that whoever employs any child or permits any child to work in contravention of the provisions of Section 3 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years, or with fine which may vary between Rs.20, 000 to Rs. 50,000/-
