BANGALORE: Over the past two years, 16 officials of the Union and State governments have employed child labourers, according to a report by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which was constituted by the State Women and Child Development Department to look after children in need of care and protection.

The officials found employing children work for the Police Department, Women and Child Development Department, nationalised banks, Commercial Tax Office, International Labour Organisation, and the technology park. According to the report, most of the officials who employed child workers were high ranking, and the most senior among them held the post of Additional Director.

The Karnataka Civil Service Conduct Rules and the Central Civil Service Conduct Rules make it an offence for government officials to employ children below 14 years of age. Failure to adhere to the rule could lead to disciplinary action and termination of service.

CWC members said action by the departments concerned had been minimal. In most cases, no suspension or termination of service had been ordered. No disciplinary action had been taken. The CWC has succeeded in enforcing the Minimum Wages Act through the Labour Department and ensuring that funds are made available for the rehabilitation of child workers.

Many government departments, when contacted, said they did not know if any of their employees engaged children for work.

Bangalore Police Commissioner Ajai Kumar Singh said he was not aware of any police personnel having employed children. "Ask the CWC to send the report, and we will handle the issue on a case-by-case basis," he said.

According to CWC members, children are abused by their employers. They said that in one case, a girl had bite marks all over her body and her arm was broken.

Most of the children employed for domestic work were girls.

The youngest of them was seven years at the time of employment.

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