Date:03/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/03/stories/2006120301820500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Child labour can be eradicated if poverty is tackled, says CJ

Staff Reporter

`Greed to make profit has led people to employ children'

IN CONVERSATION: Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Cyriac Joseph (centre) with High Court Judge Gopal Gowda, (left) and Judge K.L. Manjunath at a workshop on child labour in Bangalore on Saturday. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE: Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Cyriac Joseph on Saturday said the greed to make more profit had led people to employ children.

He was speaking at a workshop on "Child labour in the hotel, construction and automobile repair sectors" organised by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA), Women and Child Welfare Department and the Labour Department on the premises of the District and Sessions Court Complex to educate hoteliers, owners of garages and construction companies about the ban on child labour and the laws prohibiting it.

Mr. Cyriac Joseph said child labour could be eradicated only if poverty was tackled. India had excelled in enacting several laws, including those on child labour. But mere enactment of laws would not help in eradicating child labour. The reasons for poverty and child labour would have to be found and addressed. This could be done only if there was a concerted and determined effort by all sections of society.

He said if poverty could be tackled, it would ensure that the parents, instead of sending their children to work, would send them to school. They had to send their children for work owing to poverty. He urged hoteliers and others to desist from employing children stating that they were violating the law and the rights of children. "If people do not follow the law, they will be creating an unjust and disharmonious society full of friction and lawlessness," he said. Employers often quoted rules to ensure that their employees came on time and worked according to the rule. But employers themselves did not care to follow the law. "When you expect others to follow the law, you too should adhere to it," he said.

Executive Chairman of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority V. Gopal Gowda and Chairman of the High Court Legal Services Authority K.L. Manjunath spoke.

District and Sessions Judge of Bangalore Keshav Narayan, Director of Women and Child Welfare Department K. Monappa and Commissioner of Labour K.S. Manjunath were present.