Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM's appeal to abolish child labour

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has appealed to the people to abolish child labour. In his appeal, the Prime Minister said:

"Our nation has solemnly pledged that children in our country are not engaged in any form of work at the cost of their right to education.

As a major step in this direction, I call upon each one of you to stop employing children as workers and actively encourage children to join schools.

Our Government has added employment of children as domestic help, or servants at roadside dhabas (roadside eateries), restaurants, hotels, motels, teashops, resorts, or in other recreational centres to the list of occupations prohibited under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986. It will be enforced from October 10, 2006. The Government will take a firm action against those violating the law.

For children released from work arrangements for providing education have been made by the Government in all the States under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

I appeal to the citizens, forums representing voices of all sections in the society, employees of government and other public institutions to join the Government's endeavour in ensuring that the law is implemented. Let us create a moral force to build our country free of child labour, paving the way for children enjoying the right to education".