The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : ‘108 service’ to rescue child labourers

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Thursday, Jan 31, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘108 service’ to rescue child labourers

HYDERABAD: The ‘108 service’ of Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI), being supported by the State Government, would soon be used as a ‘tool’ to rescue children from child labour in twin cities. The toll free number of ‘108 service’ would receive distress calls from children, trying to break-out of child labour.

Deputy Commissioner of Labour B. Ajay, while taking part in a rally to eliminate child-labour at Durgabai Deshmukh colony, told The Hindu that already talks with EMRI are ‘on’ and expected to give positive results. From now on, the plight of child labour below the age of 14 years would be treated as an ‘emergency’.

“Children and even adults can tip-off authorities through the 108 service about child labour in twin cities. Distress calls from children would be entertained and treated as an emergency. Modalities are being worked-out before the new project is launched,” Mr. Ajay said.

Novel initiative

The Deputy Commissioner maintained that the department is trying to increase its ‘visibility’ among schoolchildren and efforts are under way to include students in a big way to fight child labour. In a month or so, the department is launching an ‘emblem’, which has to be worn by all school students of twin cities.

The emblem would declare “I will not allow my parents to engage children in any form of child labour’. “We are holding talks with several school managements and sponsors to launch this emblem. Students have to wear this badge at least once or twice a week to their school,” Mr. Ajay said.

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