Cabinet approves changes in child labour law

New Delhi, May 13, 2015 Agency :  The Union cabinet approved an amendment to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation Bill) Act that will ban the employment of children below 14 years of age in all commercial enterprises. However, an exception has been made to allow them to help their families in farm work or artisanship provided that it is during holidays or after school hours.“While considering a total prohibition on the employment of child, it would be prudent to also keep in mind the country’s social fabric and socio-economic conditions. In a large number of families, children help their parents in their occupations like agriculture,



artisanship etc. and while helping the parents, children also learn the basics of occupations,” a government release said.The proposed amendments also seek to bar children between ages of 14 and 18 years, who will be termed as “adolescent” from working in hazardous sectors such as mining. It would also align labour laws with the Right to Children for Free and Compulsory Education, ensuring that all children between 6 and 14 years attend school.According to existing laws, children less than 14 years are permitted to work except in prohibited sectors such as domestic work, automobile workshops, beedi-making, carpet weaving, handloom and power loom industry, and mines.