Starting from May 29 till World Day against Child labour on June 12, the Jagatsinghpur civil administration, Labour Department, Child Protection Unit, Childline, NGOs and trade unions have initiated a campaign creating awareness among citizens about child rights and protection and eradication of child labour in society.
A rally was organised at the college chhak here on Friday, which was launched by District Labour Officer Baba Ananda Das. Child Protection Officer Kanhu Charan Rout, DIPRO Kaminiranjan Pattnayak, Assistant Labour Officer Soumya Ranjita Dalei, Labour Inspectors Suratha Kumar Swain, Santanu Kumar Brahma, Childline representative Naresh Gochhayat and members from trade unions as AITUC, INTUC and CITU were present.
The guests said poverty is a prime cause of child labour, affecting children mentally and physically. Also they are away from gaining education and this affects their future, they said.
The idea behind organising the awareness drive is to urge citizens to raise their voices and take action when they see vulnerable children working and being exploited by their employers.