Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights

The Child Labour component is looking after by Shri. Ajoy Kumar Dutta, Member, (Child Labour and Child in Distress) of the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) plays a crucial role in addressing the persistent issue of child labour in Assam. Guided by the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and its subsequent amendments, The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, The Factories Act, 1948, The Plantations Labour Act, 1951, The Mines and Minerals(Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 ASCPCR undertakes several key functions:

Core Functions Related to Child Labour

1. Monitoring and Enforcement
   • Regular Inspections: Conducts periodic inspections of industries, workshops, and other establishments to ensure compliance with child labour laws.
   • Identification and Rescue: Identifies and rescues children engaged in hazardous or prohibited occupations, including Children in Street Situations (CISS).
   • Legal Action: Initiates legal proceedings against employers who violate child labour laws.
   • Collaboration with Law Enforcement: Works closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure effective enforcement of child labour regulations.
2. Rescue and Rehabilitation
   • Rescue of Child Labours and CISS: Rescues children involved in child labour and those in street situations (CISS), such as rag pickers, who often become victims of substance abuse.
   • Skill Development and Training: Provides vocational training and skill development programs to rescued children to enhance their future opportunities.
   • Education: Facilitates access to formal and non-formal education programs to ensure rescued children have access to quality education.
   • Counseling and Psychological Support: Offers counseling and psychological support to help children cope with the trauma associated with child labour, street life, and substance abuse.
   • Reintegration into Society: Assists in reintegrating rehabilitated children into their families and communities, ensuring they are protected from re-engagement in labour or vulnerable conditions.
3. Awareness and Advocacy
   • Public Awareness Campaigns: Conducts campaigns to educate the public about the harmful effects of child labour, the rights of children, and the plight of CISS.
   • Advocacy with Policymakers: Advocates for stronger legislation and policies to combat child labour and address the challenges faced by CISS.
   • Collaboration with NGOs and Civil Society: Partners with NGOs and civil society organizations to strengthen efforts to end child labour and support children in street situations.
4. Special Measures for CISS
   • Addressing CISS Vulnerabilities: Recognizes that CISS, such as rag pickers, are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and substance abuse, making them victims of child labour in hazardous forms.
   • Interventions by Municipal Administrations: The Commission has instructed municipal administrations to intervene in addressing the challenges faced by CISS.
   • Waste Management Recommendations: Advocates for proper waste disposal management to prevent children from accessing waste sites, thereby reducing their vulnerability to exploitation and hazardous conditions.

By fulfilling these functions, ASCPCR contributes significantly to protecting child rights, rescuing children from hazardous conditions, and eradicating child labour in Assam.

This component concentrates on preventive actions to reduce child labor and trafficking, while also advocating for rescue operations through the concerned stakeholder departments. This component is responsible for monitoring rescued children, recommending their compensation, and rehabilitation. Review of the legal framework to prevent child labour and child trafficking, capacity building of concerned duty bearers is also undertaken by this component.