5 child labourers rescued in Kothapet

Hyderabad: Labour Department officials on Monday began their anti-child labour drive and rescued five child labourers who were working as bonded labour in a fruit market in Kothapet.

S Naresh Kumar, deputy commissioner of Labour-I, informed that they raided various business establishments and shops and rescued five child labourers. “We rescued the children who are working at the fruit market in Kothapet. Penal action as per the AP Shops and Establishments Act and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act has been initiated against the shop managements as they hired children below 15 years of age,” he added.

“The children have been shifted to nearby rehabilitation centres,” Naresh Kumar added. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Balala Hakkula Sangham (APBHS) demanded stern action against Agricultural Market Committee officials for allowing the fruit vendors to engage children in hazardous work.

They further demanded criminal cases to be filed against the officials under Juvenile Justice Act.