PUDUCHERRY: Stressing that the Union Territory is free from child labour, Welfare Minister P Rajavelu sought the co-operation of employers of industries, shops and business establishments to help the administration to maintain the record.
The Minister was addressing an awareness programme organised by the Labour Department, to commemorate the ‘World Day against Child Labour,’ which is observed on June 12 every year. The theme for this year was ‘Extend the Social Protection - Combat Child Labour.’
He said Puducherry has over 1,500 industrial firms and 10,000 shops, hotels and business establishments and the labour department lacks in number of officials to monitor all these industrial units and firms for child labour. But, still the officials of the department conduct periodic inspections to ensure that there is no child labour in the UT.
Rajavelu said unemployment was on the rise in UT as no new industries were being set up here, but the government, headed by Chief Minister N Rangasamy was taking steps to bring in more new industries.
The minister distributed cash awards and certificates to winners of the competitions held in connection with National Safety Week.
Survey to End Soon
Commissioner of Labour, G Srinivas, said an independent survey being conducted to find out child labour in industries, hotels and domestic sectors would be over within four to five months.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function organised on Thursday, Srinivas said the survey, which began some time ago could not be completed because of general elections.
The Labour Commissioner said the general public could report the child labour cases to the labour officer (welfare schemes in person or over phone (0413-2277780) at the office of the Labour Department Complex, Gandhi Nagar, Vazhudavur Road.