Karunalaya Social Service Society
Supported by
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in India
Launching of the Project and Cultural Yatra for Child Labour Prevention and Intervention in North Chennai
Karunalaya Social Service Society with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands launched a project and Cultural Yatra for Child Labour Prevention and Intervention in North Chennai on the 19th November 2010. Hon'ble .Justice. Mr. G.M. Akbar Ali, Madras High Courrt was the Chief Guest and Launched the programme and addressed the gathering with interaction. Ms. Akhila Srinivasan, Honorary Consul, Netherlands Consulate in Chennai, was unable to attend the programme due to illhealth and hospitalisation. Dr. Privamvadha, Assistant Professor, Dept of Criminology, participated and felicitated the initiative of Karunalaya along with Dr. M.B.Pavithra, Assistant Professor, Department of Human Rights and Duties Education, Ethiraj College who is also one of the board members of Karunalaya. The programme was presided by Mr. S. John Bosco, President, Karunalaya.
Creative Initiative
One of the recent campaign initiatives of Karunalaya through the children’s clubs opened up the truth that many children are still employed in various organised and unorganised sectors in North Chennai, one of which is the textile stores. Karunalaya has planned to address this persistent issue with a creative initiative, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in India, through the Project for Child Labour Prevention and Intervention in North Chennai. The exact number of children employed in this part of the city is not known. Moreover the efforts in the past have been on identification of child labour through house to house survey and enrolment in school “and not directly concentrating at the Work place and employers”. Through this project it is proposed to identify the number of children in various sectors and to sensitise the employers and other stake holders to prevent employing children as labourers. Karunalaya believes that in order to progressively eliminate child labour in our society, free and compulsory quality education is a main alternative. No child below the age of 18 should be employed, though the law mandates up to 14 yrs.
Launch of the Project
Karunalaya is launching a project with the Goal of “Creating a Child Labour free zone in North Chennai industries and preventing School Dropouts in North Chennai slums, streets and housing tenements through Advocacy, campaign, life skill development and cultural yatras” The Strategies of the project will be as follows;
- Identification of industries employing children and child labourers by way of monitoring and observation in the industry sectors
- Rescue of identified child labourers
- Sensitisation through cultural yatra (performance of street plays, folk dances and theme songs and interactions) to all the slums and the industry sectors
- Life skill programme for children
- Camps and trainings for children and parents
- Parental interaction and participation for prevention of children entering labour force.
- Provision of education materials such as uniform, school bags, notebooks, footwear etc to former child labourers
- Advocacy campaign by way of rallies, human chains, posters, handbills and conventions. Lobby with departments for action and follow up
Cultural Yatra
The Cultural team of Karunalaya will cover all the slums, streets, housing tenements and industry areas in north Chennai in the next 2 years by performing street plays, folk dances, theme songs and interaction with the community to sensitise them about child rights, the evils of child labour, the importance of education and the legislations protecting child rights. The cultural team of Karunalaya will consist of 25 members and are trained in street theatre, traditional folk dances such as “PARAI ATTAM” (Dance spreading news), KOLATTAM, KUMMIATTAM, OYILATTAM, KARAGATTAM, LESIM DANCE, Sensitisation Songs on Child Rights and Child Labour. The Cultural Yatra team will perform on every Saturday as per the plan.
Enforcement of the legislations
In order to prevent and rescue child labourers, the project will focus in the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Amended Act, 2006, Right to Education Act 2010 and the Child Labour Prevention and Regulation Act. The Child Labour Act is weak in the sense as it legitimises Child Labour up to 14 years in non hazardous occupations and processes therefore the project will utilise the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act which covers all children below 18 years as children and can treat them as children in need of care and protection. The most recent Right to Education Act 2010 makes it obligatory on the State Government, Department of Education and Local Government to ensure that all children 6 to 14 years are in school and have not dropped out or are employed in any work place, occupation, process, establishment, factory including home based work or contracted work. The provisions of these acts will be invoked to rescue child labourers and to penalise erring employers who violate, despite positive approach and sensitization on child rights through this project, with the help of Child Welfare Committee and Child Labour Cell in the Labour Department.
Quality Intervention
Though the risks in Child Labour projects are very high, the success depends on the quality of our intervention and service. When quality intervention is made and the parents realize the importance, change is definite to take place and children will be withdrawn. When the industries cooperate and employ only adults, the incidence of child labour will be reduced and the option of schooling will increase. We have in the past seen this change and were able withdraw from work and enroll children in school. The quality also includes the school atmosphere where the children will be enrolled. We will also work with the school authorities. Despite the best of efforts, a very marginal percentage of parents may not be cooperative, but consistency will help win over, based on case to case management of situation.
Support of the Government of the Netherlands
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has recognised the need for Child Labour prevention and intervention in North Chennai and has extended its financial support (Rs.26,60,000/- per year) for this initiative through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The official launch of the Project and Cultural Yatra for the Prevention of Child Labour in North Chennai was held on the 19th November 2010 marking the World DAY for the Prevention of Child Abuse and the Universal Children’s Day, at The Don Bosco Youth Centre premises, Broadway. Let us join hands to ensure industries in North Chennai are child labour free and that the Rights of the Children are respected.
The programme was attended by mothers and women leaders from the North Chennai slums and streets dwelling families, volunteers, children and wellwishers. Reporters from the Hindu, The New Indian Express, Times of India, Maalai Sudar were present and reported about the event.
