MYSORE: A seminar organised in Chamarajanagar to mark the International Day against Child Labour resolved to appeal to the Government to ban child labour in agriculture, which accounts for 90 per cent of working children.

Speakers at the seminar titled "Child Labour in Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities" made out a case for classification of agriculture as a hazardous industry under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986.

Experts from the field of agriculture, anti-child labour movement and education participated in the seminar, which was organised under the joint aegis of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Hasiru Sene, National Child Labour Project Society (NCLPS) and the International Labour Organisation.

Delivering the keynote address, vice-president of the KRRS K.C. Basavaraj said economic exploitation of children was unacceptable. "Survival, protection and development of young children cannot be put at risk by employing them in any sector. Basic education is the right of every child and the Government cannot abdicate itself of this responsibility", he said.

Education

Mr. Basavaraj said it was unhealthy for society to send its children to work. "A nation which assigns its young children to hazardous labour is dead. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure education for each child", he added.

According to a press release from the project director of the National Child Labour Project Society Baburaj, ninety per cent of working children are in the agriculture sector.

The participants also favoured inclusion of eco-friendly, viable and self-reliant agricultural science into the curriculum of elementary education. "It was also resolved that top priority should be given to create opportunities economic improvement of poor families in rural areas so that child labour can be eradicated".

The seminar was inaugurated by Headquarter's Assistant to Deputy Commissioner B. Ramu. Narayana of Vidyankura project of National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) spoke about education as an alternative to child labour.

President of KRRS Chamarajanagar district unit Mahesh Prabhu presided over the seminar.

Earlier in the morning, a procession of children was taken out in Chamarajanagar town to create awareness on child labour.

Block Education Officer Chandrakant flagged off the procession.

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