NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday called for abolition of child labour.

"Our nation has solemnly pledged that children 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 them to join schools..

"Our Government has added employment of children as domestic help or servants at dhabas, 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. Firm action will be taken against those violating the law. Arrangements had been made for providing education to those released from work. .

"I appeal to the citizens, forums representing voices of all sections, employees of government and other public institutions to join the 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."

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