Task force to combat child labour in Karnataka

Belagavi: In a move towards safeguarding the rights of children, Labour Minister Santosh Lad announced that the government is contemplating the establishment of a task force to combat child labour in the state.

Addressing officials of Belagavi district, Lad stressed the urgency of eradicating child labour.

Emphasizing the need for immediate rescue operations upon identifying instances of child labour, Lad said that the officials must be vigilant and proactive in this regard.

He called for awareness programs to curb child labour.

"It is imperative that we ensure children are not deprived of their right to education. The practice of child labour is detrimental to the future of our children, and officials must not falter in their responsibilities in this regard," Minister Lad asserted.

During a divisional-level review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Minister Lad directed officials to cancel fake labourer cards.

He expressed concern over the misuse of such cards, highlighting instances where individuals outside the purview of building and construction workers have fraudulently obtained these cards and obtained benefit.

The minister urged officials to expedite the processing of applications related to medical, maternity, and marriage assistance for registered workers.

Minister Lad expressed concern that workers often face unnecessary hurdles in availing departmental facilities. "To ease accessibility for labourers, it is imperative that offices are established at both the Taluk and Hobli levels," he said.

The labour department officials reported the registration of 30 cases under the Minimum Wages Act in the Belagavi division. They assured that steps were being taken to expedite the resolution of these cases.