DHRUBA DANGAL

The Sindulpalchowk District Child Welfare Committee (DCWC) and a few social organizations have rescued ten children working as laborers at the district headquarters, Chautara, and handed them over to their parents on Wednesday.

This campaign aimed to nominate Chautara as the first child labor free village development committee (VDC) in the district was conducted in the presence of police administration, Sindhupalchowk District Administration Office (DAO) and the representatives of various social work-related organizations.

According to an officer at the human rights commission office in the district, Bal Krishna Basnet, the children have been handed over to the parent along with an education package to help them enroll in school. The practice of offering an educational package was felt necessary by the DDCWC after most of the children were deprived of education after their rescue.

“An education package worth Rs 5,000 has been distributed to each parent. Two more will meet their parents on Friday,” Basnet said. “However, two other parentless children have been sent for rehabilitation.” The rescued children were working as workers in various hotels and restaurants of Chautara VDC. As per the DCWC´s record, 27 children involved in labor at Chautara were rescued last year.

The DCWC has been in working the field of child rights. Only a few months ago, 27 children were rescued and reunited with their parents in a similar manner. The campaign has been conducted with the financial support of Save the Children, Tuki Nepal, Shun Koshi and Women Self Dependency Center, Melamchi.

“This is the first time we have handed over the children without punishing anyone. Now onward we will take stern action against the guardians and employers who are directly involved in promoting child labor,” said Sindhupalchowk Chief District Officer, Dilli Ram Pokharel.

As per the Child Rights Act, any person or organization involved in child labor (under the age of 18) can be jailed for a year or fined up to Rs 50,000 or face both penalties. In addition to the education package, the family of the rescued children will also receive self-employment and income generation training to elevate their lifestyle, informed Pokharel. According to a DCWC report, a total of 91 children were involved in child labor in the district.

Published on: 7 November 2013 | Republica