Labour inspectors are currently in training with the aim of increasing policing to combat child labour, a Government Information Agency(GINA) release stated.
The inspection programme is the main policing programme and the ministry is quadrupling its efforts to control child labour.
According to the release, Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir said that this programme has seen the number of inspections increasing dramatically. In 2006, there were 900 inspections, while in 2008 the number rose to 3,000. For the first half of 2009, the number of inspections has already surpassed 2,000.
In June two six-month promotional programmes were launched with the use of the mass media and areas that are of particular concern include the market and stelling areas.
The advertisements and outreach to stamp out child labour resulted in persons calling in to report cases when child labour was noticed, GINA said, and companies and parents found indulging in the unlawful act of child labour have been charged.
A Child Care and Protection Agency was launched on July 29 and will serve as the oversight and management committee for the Children’s Bill.
The Child Care and Protection Agency legislation was passed on January 8, 2009, and was later consented to by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Nadir has called on trade unions, employers, parents and community members to join in efforts to curb the incidence of child labour, while noting that the only way to escape the poverty trap is through education.
