State observes World Day Against Child Labour

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it.

Each year on 12 June, the World Day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them.

Speaking on the occasion, assistant labour commissioner, Imlisashi Jamir said child labour existed mostly in urban areas. He also said factors that cause domestic child labour were migration of people from rural to urban areas, social awareness of modernity and seeking better education and poor economic position of people living below poverty line.

Imlisashi Jamir said Nagas have been imitating foreign culture and have lost dignity of labour becoming more depending.

He said keeping domestic child labour did not exist in the society during forefather’s time. 

Assistant labour commissioner said as per the law employment of children below the age of 14 years was prohibited. He called upon the gathering to come forward to work together to abolish the system of child labour from the society.

Also, speaking on the occasion, CECS director Subonenba Longkumer briefed on the objectives, where he pointed out that as per the survey of (2014-15), 4029 children were school dropouts/child labours in Dimapur town area.

He said by employing children at home, the society has encouraged child traffickers to make false promises and take the children for a ride they never dreamt of.

Informing that cases that CHILDLINE intervened were mostly related to domestic child labour “employed by Christian Nagas in Dimapur”, Longkumer said more than 60 to 70% Naga families living in Dimapur and Kohima employ children as domestic help labour. He claimed that most of these children were not living a normal life.

CECS director called upon all the responsible to stop domestic child labour and to stand for the rights of the children. 

The programme was compeered by Neiketulie Chawang, city coordinator, CHILDLINE 1098, invocation by Jungshimanen, associate youth director DABA, special song was presented by CECS open shelter home, presentation of certificate by assistant labour commissioner Imlisashi Jamir, short speeches by volunteers and vote of thanks was proposed by Ameli Sema, research associate CECS.

Meanwhile, altogether more than 70 bikers participated in the “Bike rally against domestic child labour”. 

MOKOKCHUNG: To commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour, the Department of Labour in collaboration with Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), organized a programme June 12 at Town Hall, Mokokchung on the theme “Extend Social Protection: Combat Child Labour” with ADC, Mokokchung, Chubawati Chang as the chief guest.

In his address, the chief guest stated that millions of children throughout the world were engaged in work that deprived them of adequate education, health, leisure due to socio-economic factor. 

He said Child Labour was one of the biggest issues the world was facing. ADC therefore stressed on the need of sensitizing the different stakeholders and the public in general to eliminate the evil of Child Labour.

The programme was chaired by asst. labour commissioner, Mokokchung, C. Nangshithung Shidio and the keynote address was delivered by asst. labour commissioner, Kohima, Auele. 

Students from different schools, representatives from Ao Senden and Watsu Mungdang attended the programme, stated a DIPR report.

It may be mentioned that Nagaland is one of the pioneer States in the country to successfully commemorate this day since 2008 by organizing mass awareness campaigns through Seminars, Focused Group Discussions (FGD), Rallies, Poster Campaign etc. aimed at sensitizing the masses.