Bandipora, October 31 (KNS): Continuing its drive against child labour, Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Bandipora on Tuesday rescued seven child labouers in Sumbal and Hajin tehsils of the district and warned strict action against the offenders.
A team of the CWC Bandipora led by its chairperson, Dr Asima Hassan and members Mr Hashim Ahmad and Ms Shehnaz on the directions of District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Mr Hidayatullah Mir, raided several bakery units, workshops and restaurants in Sumbal and Hajin towns and its adjoining areas.
The team was assisted by police stations Sumbal and Hajin besides personnel from Human Trafficking Unit, Bandipora.
During the raids atleast seven children were found to be engaged as child labouers. Taking strict action against the erring traders, the CWC Bandipora asked them to produce themselves before the Committee and the parents of the children were counseled.
While asking the establishments who engage child labouers to desist from such practices immediately, Dr Asima said the drive will continue. The children as young as 13 years were found engaged in hazardous works.
“Child labourers come from impoverished conditions. They have no protection, and their employers control them completely. Children are forced to work for long hours for meagre or no wages. Such children are often ill-treated by their employers. All these issues can affect a child’s mental and physical health severely,” she said.
“Poverty is one of the root causes of child labour. These children are forced to drop out of school. When children are not allowed to pursue learning and skill development opportunities that will enable them to get a decent job in the future, they become trapped in the intergenerational cycles of poverty,” Dr Asima added.(KNS)