New Delhi (PTI) The Government on Monday said it would examine a suggestion to issue certificates to manufacturing units that do not use child labour.

"I will examine the suggestion," Labour Minister Mallikarujn Kharge said during Question Hour, when a member suggested issuing certificates to manufacturing units that do not use child labour.

He said according to 2001 census, the number of working children in the age-group of 5-14 years was 1.26 crore, of which about 12 lakh were working in hazardous processes.

Mr. Kharge said government was implementing the National Child Labour Project Scheme in 271 districts across the country for rehabilitation of children withdrawn from work.

Under the scheme, children withdrawn from work are admitted into special schools where they are provided accelerated bridge education, vocational training, stipend, nutrition and health care facilities, he said.

In reply to another question, Mr. Kharge said as per a survey women unemployment in the country on usual status basis estimated at 1.87 million in 1993-94 went up to 2.14 million in 1999-2000 and further increased to 3.97 million in 2004-05.

Replying to a separate question, he said as many as 6,51151 Epmployees' Provident Fund Scheme claims were pending for 2008-09 (till March 31, 2009).

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