PAIN WRIT LARGE: An elderly person sipping fruit juice as a boy carries a load on his head on the World Day Against Child Labour in Hyderabad on Tuesday. - Photo: Satish H.

Hyderabad: Only a strong political will accompanied by active support of people will ensure total elimination of child labour. Mere enactment of laws will not help remove the problem, said Archbishop of Hyderabad, Marampudi Joji.

He was participating as the chief guest at the sensitisation programme on "Elimination of child labour" organised by the Hyderabad Archdiocesan Social Service Society (HASSS) here on Tuesday on the occasion of International Day Against Child Labour.

Child labour was rampant as it was profitable and convenient for the employers. They could get cheap labour with no demands. Voluntary organisations should be vigilant and report the child labour cases to the authorities, the Archbishop said. He urged the Catholic community to take up the matter as top priority and work for the elimination of child labour.

Models developed

D.L.S. Prasad, project officer, International Labour Organisation, said there had been some progress in the elimination of child labour but a lot was still left to be done. The ILO had developed some models and they were proving effective in the elimination of child labour. The ILO was working in association with the Andhra Pradesh Civil Society Network for creating awareness about child labour.

Dr. Prasad explained the measures being taken to wean away children from the workplace and the raids being carried out by the enforcement teams. He urged people to call up the NCLP on telephone 23204123 when they come across child labour.

They could also call 9391633138 or the toll free number 1098.

M. Jagannadha Rao, joint secretary, APCSOs Network, said it was essential to sensitise employers otherwise they would continue to employ children.

Earlier, Ft. Pratap, director, HASSS, called for protecting children and youth against exploitation.

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