The message that engaging children in labour is playing with their future should reach every household in the country, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said here on Wednesday.
He was speaking at a seminar organised at his office by the Labour Department on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour.
Since 2002, the International Labour Organization observes June 12 as the World Day Against Child Labour, which is “intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour, reflected in the huge number of ratifications of ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour and ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment”.
“Rajasthan is the first State in the country to formulate a specific Child Policy. And although we have done a lot of work to ameliorate child labour, a lot still needs to be done,” said Mr. Gehlot.
He also asked children not to work in hazardous industries, and avail educational and other opportunities provided by the government.
Minister of State for Labour Mangilal Garasia said the government was working to ensure rehabilitation of child labourers.
