THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Here’s a shocker! In what could prompt immediate action, the state women and child development (WCD) department has identified 140 child labour hotspots across the state, a majority of them in Ernakulam.
The hotspots were identified in a statewide survey to trace children engaged in labour and begging, and those living on the streets. The WCD conducted 704 rescue drives in the previous financial year — a majority of them in Kannur — during which 56 children were rescued and given rehabilitation support.
This was part of the Saranabalyam project launched in 2017 to locate and rehabilitate children trapped in labour. In recent years, the project was strengthened by linking it with ‘Kaval Plus’, which enabled more sustained interventions through coordination with the police, labour, education and health departments.
The highest number of hotspots were identified in Ernakulam (30) and Idukki (13), and the least in Palakkad and Kozhikode (4 each).
“There were no cases of child labour recorded in the last year. We identified the hotspots from earlier cases and by monitoring probable areas like settlements of migrant labourers who come with families, border regions, plantations and during festivals,” said WCD director Haritha V Kumar.
Child labour hotspots will be monitored through regular inspections: Officials
“Children found engaged in labour or living in unsafe conditions are removed immediately and provided shelter, care, rehabilitation and repatriation through the Child Welfare Committee,” Haritha said. “Anyone who notices a child in distress or engaged in labour can report it by calling the child helpline at 1098,” Haritha said.
Another official said instances of child labour involving Keralites are very rare, though not entirely absent. “Most children found at risk are from other states who came here with their families and are more vulnerable to exploitation. Here, people are more sensitised. There is greater awareness about education,” said the official. “In some districts, data may show identified hotspots but no rescues.
This is because these involve children working with their parents in non-strenuous roles that do not strictly qualify as child labour. Rescuing such children unnecessarily may do more harm than good. It is ensured these children are well taken care of in their homes. Surveillance, awareness and rehabilitation are more effective than relying solely on punitive action,” the official said.
Of the 56 children rescued, most were categorised under Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and referred to the Child Welfare Committees (CWC) for appropriate support. Repatriation of children to their families or home states was carried out in coordination with the police wherever necessary. The 140 hotspots identified through district-level surveys now serve as major focus areas for future interventions.
Officials said these zones, ranging from busy commercial hubs to semi-urban and rural pockets, will be closely monitored through regular inspection drives. Periodical rescue operations will be carried out and families will be made aware of the risks. Depending on the child’s vulnerability, rescue and repatriation will be initiated.
“If a family is found unfit to take care of the child, he or she will be directly shifted to the Kaval Plus programme, which is run by NGOs and headed by the district’s rescue officer, under the supervision of the District Child Protection Officer,” the official said.
Of the 704 rescue drives held in the state in 2024-25, a majority was conducted in Kannur (141), followed by Ernakulam (82) and Idukki (64).
Ernakulam and Idukki also reported the highest number of rescues (12 children each). In addition to regular drives, the WCD department also conducted 266 targeted operations at shops, companies and other workplaces suspected of employing children. Special drives were held during festivals and public events such as Attukal Pongala, Sabarimala pilgrimage and Beemapally Uroos.
J Sandhya, social activist and former member of Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said although no FIRs have been registered in connection with child labour in the state, the fact that 56 children had to be rescued is deeply disturbing. “We cannot afford to overlook this reality. While Kerala is far ahead of many other states in its efforts to become child labour-free, there is still a long way to go.
The issue demands continued attention. What is more worrying is that many of these children are from migrant families. They may come from environments where doing strenuous work at a young age is considered normal. If not addressed early, there is a risk that this pattern will continue here as well. It’s not just about rescuing the children, but the cycle should be broken altogether,” she said.
704 special drives
At 30, Ernakulam topped the chart with most number of child labour hotspots, followed by Idukki (13)
704 rescue drives conducted by the women and child development dept in the previous financial year
56 children rescued and given rehabilitation support