The Webinar was aimed at to focus attention on the extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it.
The inaugural address was given by Sonia Gupta, Chairman, DLSA (Principal District & Sessions Judge) Samba.
While highlighting the importance of the day, she gave an overview of the plight of child laborers and what can be done to help them. She also stated that this year’s World Day Against Child Labour is taking place at time when the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to invalidate years of progress in tackling the problem. She also elucidated various activities and programmes being conducted by DLSA Samba.
Pradyot Gupta, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Udhampur and Rohit Khajuria, Coordinator, Childline, Jammu were the resource persons in the programme.
Pradyot Gupta gave an outline of the legislative framework with regard to the issue of child labour. He explained the various steps being taken by the Labour Department in tackling the problem. He emphasized on the importance of implementation of the various acts and rules to eliminate the child labour. He further said that change in the mindset and attitude of the society towards this problem, could go a long way in mitigating it.
Rohit Khajuria explained the theme of this year’s World Day Against Child Labour - 'Act Now: End Child Labour'. He stated that amid the coronavirus pandemic and global crisis, there has been a drastic surge in child labour across the world due to people facing employment issues or losing bread-earners of their families. He explained various facets of how this problem can be tackled and made suggestions for effective management of such an issue. He also highlighted the recent policies by the government to help the children who have lost their parents due to COVID-19 pandemic. He gave an overview of the working of Childline 1098. The resource persons interacted with the participants and replied to their queries.
The webinar was moderated by Slahuddin Ahmed, Sub Judge/Secretary, DLSA, Samba. Besides the Chairman DLSA, Samba, the Webinar was attended by Arvind Sharma, CJM, Samba (Chairman, TLSC, Samba and Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board, Samba) Students of Legal Literacy Clubs, Dogra Law College, PLVs, Lawyers, Teachers, Prosecuting Officers etc.
