Education key to eliminating child labour, says DLSA Secretary

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DLSA Secretary Syed Ziyauddin speaking at a programme organised to mark World Day Against Child Labour in Guntur on Friday. | Photo Credit: T. VIJAY KUMAR

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Guntur, on Friday observed World Day Against Child Labour as part of the calendar activities mandated by the National Legal Services Authority and the State Legal Services Authority. The programme was conducted under the leadership of DLSA Secretary Syed Ziyauddin.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Ziyauddin described childhood as a precious gift and expressed concern over children being engaged in labour at tea stalls, workplaces and even forced into begging on the streets instead of attending school. He said the primary objective of the “Back to School” campaign was to ensure that every child engaged in labour returns to education. Emphasising that education is the most valuable asset society can provide to future generations, he noted that many children are deprived of schooling due to economic and family hardships.

He highlighted the existence of stringent legal provisions to curb child labour and said child-friendly police units provide counselling in a supportive environment. He also assured that children in need of legal assistance could approach the Legal Services Authority for support.

Permanent Lok Adalat Chairman P. R. Rajeev stressed the need for grassroots-level solutions and said government departments and legal institutions were working together to address the issue. He urged citizens to actively contribute to the eradication of child labour.

Assistant Commissioner of Labour Srinivasa Rao, State Programme Coordinator (CRAF) Francis Thambi, DCPO Vijay Kumar, District Mission Coordinator Srivani and Clinical Psychologist Srinivas shared suggestions on preventing child labour. Representatives of government departments, stakeholders, para-legal volunteers, panel advocates and legal aid defence counsel staff attended the programme.