Govt to form district-level task forces to make UP child labour-free by 2027

Indian Express

6 days ago

The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to form district-level task forces to make the state completely child labour-free by 2027, officials said.
The Labour Department has been assigned the task to achieve the target in coordination with the departments concerned such as Education, Women and Child Development, Panchayati Raj, Home, Health, Social Welfare, Rural Development, Urban Development, and Vocational Education, it is learnt.
The government has devised concrete steps to address key challenges, including data scarcity and ensuring the retention of children in schools, which are critical in eliminating child labour, the officials said.
One of the major hurdles in eradicating child labour has been the lack of reliable data, as comprehensive statistics have not been updated since the 2011 census. To address this, the Panchayati Raj Department has been tasked with collecting data on working children and child labourers at the village level. This data will be shared with the Labour and Education departments, facilitating the implementation of targeted child labour elimination programs. Also, district-level task forces will be established across all districts to expedite data collection with the help of local panchayats, they added.
In partnership with UNICEF, the government will compile a booklet detailing the schemes of various departments that benefit child labourers and their families. This initiative will ensure that government assistance reaches every child and their family in need, supporting the broader goal of eliminating child labor in the state, the government stated.
Another challenge in eradicating child labour is the retention of children who, despite being enrolled in schools, are irregular in attendance and are at risk of falling into the category of potential child labourers. To address this, the Women Welfare Department's Bal Seva Yojana, Sponsorship Scheme, and Child Helpline are working to provide education and rehabilitation opportunities for these children.
The government is also considering the re-implementation of the 'Naya Savera' scheme after a qualitative evaluation, with the aim of providing better opportunities for child labourers. To raise public awareness, a large-scale program will be organised in Lucknow on June 12, World Day Against Child Labour, which will involve the cooperation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), employers, and labour organisations.
By combining data , awareness campaigns and rehabilitation schemes, the government is making efforts toward eliminating child labour and ensuring that children receive education and a secure future.