Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Child labourers gear for national conference

— PHOTO: R.M. RAJARATHINAM

BRAINSTORMING: Child labourers at an activity session during a preparatory camp in Tiruchi on Sunday.

TIRUCHI: Most child labourers tend to show a mental maturity beyond their age. And discussions among a group of child labourers, who gathered here this weekend in a run up to a national conference on child labour next month, proved it in ample measure.

Complex social problems such as poverty and unemployment were among the topics that were discussed, as the 60-odd children set out to prepare an agenda to be put forward at the conference on “Campaign against child labour” (CACL) scheduled to be held in Orissa from November 21-23.

The weekend gathering was intended to be a democratic exercise — a meeting of, by and for children — so that they could discuss their problems and rights and equip themselves to fight the social evil of child labour.

Twenty-nine child labourers, 22 rehabilitated child labourers and about 10 regular school children were selected to represent the State at the conference. Regular school goers were also brought into the fold for experience sharing.

Through discussions, learning, play and film-screening sessions, the children were sensitised on the extent of the social problem, the plight of child labourers and their rights. The children threw up several pertinent questions that had to be addressed by society and planners.

Ensuring free compulsory education for all children, providing gainful employment to parents of child labourers, identifying children employed in agriculture and agro-based cottage industries and rehabilitating child labourers in households and roadsides eateries/shops were some of the prominent suggestions put forward at the meeting, said Y. Siluvai Vasthian, State convener, CACL.

Many boys conceded that girls were more vulnerable as many poor families sent them first to work. The children also helped in identifying several sectors where child labour was prevalent, said Suresh Dharma, director, Black Theatre, a resource agency.

Though children working in households and roadside eateries had been brought under the purview of the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act 1986, through an amendment, the provisions had not been implemented properly, Mr. Vasthian said. The CACL demanded that all working children up to the age of 18 be declared as child labourers.

At the national meet, the children would represent their cases at a public hearing to be conducted by children, former judges and activists.

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