Centre okays new child labour laws

New Delhi: In a major overhaul of India’s child labour laws, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval to a proposal to allow children below 14 to work only in family enterprises or the entertainment industry, subject to certain conditions, while completely banning their employment elsewhere.

While raising the punishment for employers for violations, the Cabinet approved an amendment in the Child Labour Act that will enable children below 14 to work in non-hazardous industries provided it is only during holidays or after school hours.

The amendments in the Labour Act also make it clear that children between 14 and 18 years will also not be allowed to work in hazardous industries.