Child labour has been a really sensitive issue in India as the number of underage children working brought ringing alarms across the country.
In Mumbai, there have been a number of banners which state the fact that child labour has been eradicated and those particular organizations don’t practice it. But in an alarming situation, one such association has been found to employ underage children.
Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) has allegedly employed a 15-year-old boy. This boy was made to odd jobs in the association and when a youth noticed this activity, he filed a complaint.
The central legislature of India had promulgated a legislation Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 ("CL Act") to regulate the child labour practices in India.
A complete prohibition has been imposed on employment of child labour (i.e. a person below the age of 14 years) in any establishment whether hazardous or not. A child is permitted to work only to help the family, in a family enterprise or as child artist after school hours or during vacations.
The amendment has introduced the concept of adolescent labour for the first time. An adolescent has been defined as a person between the ages of 14-18 years. The amendment permits employment of adolescent labour except in hazardous processes or occupation.
The Act provides for increased penalty and imprisonment which shall not be less than 6 months and may extend up to 2 years and fine which may vary between Rs.20, 000 to Rs. 50,000.
When I saw the kid working there, I checked for his age and realised he was just 15-years-old. He was being paid a very small amount and I decided to file a complaint against the association, Gaurav Sharma, Social Activist.
The general secretary of the association has been arrested in this matter.
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