NEW DELHI: The Government has banned employment of children as domestic servants or workers, and as helpers in dhabas, restaurants, hotels, motels, teashops, resorts, spas and other recreational centres.

The ban, effective from October 10 this year, has been imposed under the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986.

The Labour Ministry, which issued the notification giving the mandatory three-month notice, has warned that violators are liable to prosecution and other penal action under the Act.

Government servants have already been prohibited from employing children as domestic servants. By this notification, the Government has imposed the restrictions on everyone.

The decision has been taken on the recommendation of the Technical Advisory Committee on Child Labour. The committee considers the above occupations hazardous to children and has recommended their inclusion in the occupations which are prohibited for persons below 14 years under the Act.

The panel has said children are subjected to physical violence, psychological trauma and at times even sexual abuse. Invariably the offences go unnoticed and unreported as they take place in the close confines of households or dhabas or restaurants.

The children are made to work for long hours and undertake hazardous activities.

The committee says children employed in roadside eateries and highway dhabas are the most vulnerable and easy prey to sex and drug abuse as they come into contact with all kinds of people.

Rehabilitation scheme

The Ministry is also contemplating strengthening and expanding its rehabilitation scheme under the National Child Labour Project, which already covers 250 child labour endemic districts.

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