A special call for parents to ensure their children are protected from all forms of ill-treatment and exploitation has been made by the Education Minister as we mark World Day against Child Labour today.
Doctor Mahendra Reddy says the best way to combat any form of child labour or child exploitation is to keep the child in school.
He says when children are neglected or unattended, they fall victims or become vulnerable to issues of child labour and child abuse.
Doctor Reddy says as part of their schooling process and to save children from exploitation or child labour, the Ministry has also rolled out a programme to identify all school drop-outs and as needed, support them to get back to schools or to the Technical Colleges.
Doctor Reddy says there is absolutely no reason that a child should stay at home or work and if it is happening by force, then it is illegal and those caught will face the full brunt of the law.
The Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations received a total of 182 child labour cases from 2011 to 2016.
This was done with the assistance of the International Labour Organisation TACKLE Project.
The theme for World Day against Child Labour is “ In conflicts and disasters, protect children from Child Labour”.
