Question : Eradication of Child Labour

(a)whether the child labour is still prevalent in the country despite stringent laws in force in this regard and if so, the reasons therefor;
(b)the details and number of child labourers rescued during the last three years in the country State/UT-wise including Uttar Pradesh, sector-wise particularly hazardous factories;
(c)the number of child labourers rehabilitated under National Child Labour Projects (NCLP) scheme during each of the last three years, State/UT-wise including Rajasthan;
(d)whether the Government has launched/proposed to launch any scheme/plan for proper identification and better rehabilitation of the rescued children and if so, the details thereof; and
(e)whether the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship also assists such children for increasing their skill development?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)
(a): The number of main workers in the age group of 5-14 years in the country is 43.53 lakh as per 2011 Census which shows a decline from 2001 Census.
(b) & (c): The number of child labourers rescued/withdrawn from work, rehabilitated and mainstreamed under National Child Labour Project Scheme during the last three years, State-wise including Rajasthan, are given at Annexure.
Contd..2/-
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(d) & (e): Government is following a multi-pronged strategy. It comprises of statutory and legislative measures, rehabilitation of children withdrawn from work through specific scheme and universal elementary education along with convergence with other schemes for socio-economic development. Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 prohibits the employment of children below 14 years of age in certain occupations and processes and regulates the working conditions of children in employment where they are not prohibited. Further, a Bill to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 has been introduced in Rajya Sabha in 2012. Government has decided to move Official Amendments to the Bill. The Amendment Bill along with Official Amendments, inter-alia, covers complete prohibition on employment of children below 14 years, linking the age of prohibition with the age under Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, making the punishment for employers more stringent, the offence made cognizable for employers on employing any child or adolescent in contravention of the Act and Constitution of Child and Adolescent Rehabilitation Fund in the Act itself to carry out rehabilitation activities.
For rehabilitation of rescued children, Government is implementing the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme since 1988. Children rescued/withdrawn from work in the age group of 9-14 years are enrolled in the NCLP Special Training Centres, where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, mid day meal, stipend, health care, etc. before being mainstreamed into formal education system. Children in the age group of 5-8 years are directly linked to the formal educational system through a close coordination with the SarvaShikshaAbhiyan (SSA). Vocational training has been given emphasis in the scheme. The District Project Society can identify a vocational trainer who will conduct skill/vocational training modules in the special training centres according to a pre-determined schedule approved by the District Project Society. Ministry of Labour& Employment has also issued guidelines which include convergence by the State Governments of the various financial aid schemes for children for vocational training.
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