As many as 20 child labourers employed in various shops and establishments in and around the city were rescued during a drive during the last fortnight.
The drive, carried out by National Child Labour Project and Departments of labour and health, raided a branch of popular chain of department stores here and rescued six children below 14 years employed there on April 22.
The store has been ordered to pay Rs 1.20 lakh for the rehabilitation of these children. The amount would be deposited in the names of children for their education purposes, official sources said.
In similar raids held yesterday in bars, bakeries, eateries and workshops in Ukkadam, Saravanampatty in the city and Periyanaickenpalayam and Narasimhanaickenpalayam on the outskirts, 14 boys were rescued.
The children would be handed over to their parents and action will be taken against erring employers, the sources said.
