The Department of Labour on Friday launched an intensive drive against child labour covering Puducherry and Oulgaret municipalities and Communes of Puducherry region.
Four teams led by a Labour Inspector conducted inspections in shops and establishments, hotels, carriage depots and automobile workshops and other establishments in hazardous and non-hazardous occupations in Puducherry and Oulgaret to rescue and rehabilitate child labourers.
The drive will go on up to June 4 to ensure that all areas in the Puducherry regions are child labour free. All the government departments, NGOs and the public have been requested to pass information to (0413) 2277780 if they notice child labourers, a senior official said.
As per the schedule (part A and B) sections 14 & 15 of the Child Labour (prohibition and regulation) Act 1986, the employment of children below 14 years in occupations like hotels, restaurants, automobiles, workshops and garages and domestic works was a serious offence.
Legal action would be initiated against the employers who engaged children below the age of 14.
Besides a simple imprisonment ranging from three months to one year, a fine of up to Rs.20,000 would be slapped on them.
The drive has been launched ahead of the World Day Against Child Labour on June 12.
