New Delhi, Nov 15 (UNI) The Indian Government is fully committed to continue working to eliminate child labour through policy and legislation reforms, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi said on Wednesday.
'India in fully committed towards the prevention, reduction and eventual elimination of child labour through policy and legislation reforms, stable economic growth, respect for labour standards, universal education and social protection initiatives,' she said while making the country statement at the plenary session of the 4th Global Conference on Sustained Eradication of Child Labour at Buenos Aires in Argentina.
The most comprehensive step taken by the Indian Government was the amendment in the Child Labour Act of 1986, the Minister said. 'This amendment prohibits employment of children below the age of 14 in any occupation whatsoever. It also prohibits the employment of children in the age group of 14 to 18 years in any hazardous occupation,' she pointed out and explained that the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 treated child labourers as 'children in need of care and protection' and empowered the district level Child Welfare Committees to ensure their overall welfare.