World day against child labour observed across state

Along with the rest of the world, World Day against Child Labour was observed across the state, where various events were organised to mark the day.
Commissioner and secretary labour and employment, skill development and entrepreneurship Anenla T. Sato has expressed concern on the increase in child labour in the state and said that this need to be addressed at the earliest by all stakeholders.
She said this on the occasion of World Day against Child Labour held under the theme “In Conflict and Disasters, Protect Children from Child Labour” at APO Hall, Monday.
She said that deploying more children as domestic helper in Kohima was a gross violation of child rights and attributed that poverty and ignorance of the parents, poor education system, weak protection laws and weak border monitoring was the major cause of this problem.
Therefore, she called upon the department to be committed in its endeavour and become an agent to fight against the ill effects of child labour and to fight for the Rights of the Child as it had pledged in 2008.
She also said that the department had organized massive awareness campaigns both at government and NGO levels.
Further, the commissioner and secretary said that more than 5,000 college and school students in Dimapur have pledged to be a part of this movement.
In this regard, Sato urged the stakeholders to take up the fight in Kohima in the similar manner so that Kohima can become “Child Labour free capital”.
She also asserted that the department was contemplating to approach the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority to organise legal training for the department officers, to strengthen enforcement of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016.
Speaking on prohibition and regulation amendment act 2016, member secretary NSLSA Nino Iralu said that child labour was regarded as a serious issue in terms of economic welfare as children were deprived of education and the opportunity to develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and psychologically.
She said that child labour has long term adverse effect as the practise of engaging children in economic activity on part time or full time deprive them of their childhood and was harmful to their physical and mental development.
ADC Kohima, T.L Kiusumong Tikhir in his brief address said June 12 was a day of reminder to fight against Child labour and lamented that many child were deprived of better life.
He said that all stakeholders must come together by accepting that child labour existed in the state. He also suggested that church should be involved as partners to fight against child labour stating that poverty triggers child labour. He further urged the students to be an ambassador for this movement as every child deserves respect and healthy childhood.
Labour commissioner Er. L. Nungshiyanger Aier delivered keynote address. Government officials, students and others attended the programme.
Dimapur: The day was observed at Dimapur on the theme “stop domestic child labour” at Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall, Dimapur. Community Educational Centre Society in partnership with Childline 1098, National child labour project, Wipro cares, supported by department of labour, organized the programme. Delivering a brief speech, ADC, Dimapur, Sara.S.Jamir lauded Childline, Dimapur for the good job and urged the members to reach out to the rest of Nagaland.
She pointed out that child labour in Dimapur and Kohima has been rapidly increasing due to poverty, lack of education, and lack of proper school in rural areas. In this regard, she called upon the responsible department, Childline Nagaland and NGOs to reach out to schools and made the parents aware of the situation.  
She lamented on the absentees of teachers, lack of educational facilities in most of the government schools in the state especially in the rural areas, which she said was injustice towards children.  “Every child has right to go to school and to get quality education” she remarked.
Also, while delivering introductory note, director CECS/nodal director Childline, Subonenba Longkumer said that Childline Nagaland during the last six years has registered more than 900 cases which are directly or indirectly related to child labour.
Several efforts have been undertaken by organizations and stakeholders to eliminate the practices of child labour, however, he said that problem cannot be dealt in just a day or month. 
To eradicate child labour and child abuse, government schemes or any other regulations was not needed but everyone have should take a decision “not to employee children”, Subonenba said.
Earlier, programme was chaired by nodal coordinator Childline, Neiketulie Namdau, while students of CECS, Nagarjan and children of NCLP presented special songs.  Short speech was also delivered by assistant labour commissioner Dimapur, W.Temwang Konyak. On the occasion, ADC Dimapur also released video clip on child labour.
Vote of thanks was proposed by project director, National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Dimapur, Lhangti Konyak.