said officials at a state-level workshop on strategies in prevention and regulation of child labour held on Thursday.
Speaking at the event organised by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, labour commissioner Fatima Rodrigues, said that while government mechanisms were in place, there was only so much they could do.
“It is important that people in general get involved in reporting cases of child labour. It shouldn’t be that the government should be pinpointed. We are doing our duty, but it needs the help of the general public and NGOs to function well,” said Rodrigues.
Directorate of Women and Child (DWC) director Deepali Naik reiterated Rodrigues’ comments asking people not to encourage beggars with money.
“The reporting should be done at the ground level and I believe that if everyone begins, this will certainly work effectively. It is not only the government’s priority but should be people’s priority too. When it comes to beggars on the street, I think people should not give them any money. Child beggars judge who gives them most money and follow them around,” she said.
Among the several presentations Child Rights Goa’s Nishtha Dessai highlighted the reasons why children work pointing to the fact that while poverty may be the biggest cause, accountability on the part of the parent is also to be blamed.
“Poverty certainly is one reason but there are several cases where parents despite being in the earning capacity send their children to beg or to work. Failure on the part of schools to admit students is also another reason,” she said.
The threat, however, is of a new amendment that may allow children under the age of 14 to work in family business without specifying the business. “This amendment is highly debatable as children younger than 14 years should be in school and not working. More voices need to be raised in this regard,” said Dessai.
She also questioned the success and implementation of government policies and acts that on paper seem good but in action lack government intervention.
