New Delhi--While prohibiting employment of children below the age of 14, the Centre decided Wednesday to let them work in family enterprises and in the audio-visual entertainment industry, except the circus, provided their school education is not affected.
The government justified the exceptions to strike “a balance between the need for education for a child and reality of the socio-economic condition and social fabric in the country”.
Clearing to move amendments to the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012 — it will have to be cleared by Parliament — the Cabinet decided to prohibit employment of children below the age of 14 in all occupations and processes, linking the age of prohibition of employment to age under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
But it made two exceptions. First, “where the child helps his family or family enterprises, which is other than any hazardous occupation… after his school hours or during vacations”; and second, “where the child works as an artist in an audio-visual entertainment industry, including advertisement, films, TV serials or any such other entertainment or sports activities except the circus”.
Indian Express
