Tuticorin Collector assures former child labourers of all assistance

Move To eradicate child labour:Collectorate staff and students taking oath against child labour at the Tuticorin Collectorate on Friday, as part of World Anti-Child Labour Day.— Photo: N. Rajesh

As part of ‘International Anti-Child Labour Day,’ District Collector M. Ravikumar on Friday met a few former child labourers, who are pursuing their studies in schools and colleges after being rescued from the workplaces a few years ago.

Interacting with the rescued and rehabilitated child labourers, Mr. Ravikumar urged them to concentrate on their studies and promised them of all possible help to ensure their higher studies.

“I’d be meeting the public at the Collectorate thrice a week in the evening apart from the weekly grievance day meeting to receive petitions from them. You can come and meet me during that time instead of meeting the officials to air your grievances. I’m always here to help you out in every possible way,” Mr. Ravikumar assured.

During his interaction, the Collector keenly asked everyone about their families’ present situation, their studies, future plans, educational qualifications of their siblings and their friends in their native place etc.

Mr. Ravikumar handed over cheques for Rs. 6,000 to 11 former child labourers, who are studying in colleges now and English dictionaries to 22 rescued children, now in schools.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion, the Collector said a total of 379 rescued children including 214 boys and 165 girls were studying in 12 special schools in the district with the monthly allowance of Rs. 150 per student, free lunch, uniforms, footwear and textbooks. “We’re creating awareness among the public in every possible way about the need for wiping out child labour,” he said.

Sharing their experiences, students Menaka, a former brick kiln worker, and Ajit, formerly a fisherman, said they were now doing their undergraduate programme in English literature. “I want to become a teacher,” says Menaka while Vetrivelan, who was rescued from a brick kiln at Vilaaththikulam, wants to purse a course in catering technology.

When a student from Vilaaththikulam informed the Collector about the children working in a spinning mill in their area, Mr. Ravikumar immediately asked the officials to conduct a raid to rescue the child labourers.