Kerala will become child labour-free State soon
Thiruvananthapuram, June 28 (UNI) Kerala will soon become a child labour-free state with the effective intervention of the Women and Child Development Department to completely eradicate child labour.
As part of the 'Saranabalyam' project, aimed at identifying and rehabilitating children involved in child labour, the Women and Child Development Department conducted 704 rescue drives in the last financial year, Kerala Health, Women and Child Development Minister Veena George has said.
During these drives, 56 children, who were at risk of being engaged in child labour, were identified and rehabilitated.
In 2025, a comprehensive survey was carried out across all districts to identify instances of child labour and child begging. The survey identified 140 hotspots where child labour is more likely to occur.
Operations have been intensified in these areas with the cooperation of the Labour Department and the police, with the goal of completely eradicating child labour by next year, she said.
The highest number of hotspots (30) was identified in Ernakulam district. The numbers in other districts are Thiruvananthapuram – 12, Kollam – 11, Pathanamthitta – 6, Alappuzha – 10, Kottayam – 7, Idukki – 13, Thrissur – 9, Palakkad – 4, Malappuram – 9, Kozhikode – 4, Wayanad – 8, Kannur – 10, and Kasaragod – 7.
Hotspots are mostly located in festival grounds, industrial areas, plantations, and similar sectors. Therefore, operations are primarily focused on such locations.
The Saranabalyam project is being integrated with the Kaval Plus project to provide long-term services for the rehabilitation of rescued children. These children are presented before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
If the rescued children are from other states, they are sent back to the CWCs in their respective states. If that is not possible, the department takes full responsibility for their protection and rehabilitation.
If anyone notices incidents of child labour, they can report it by calling 1098 (Childline) or sending a message to the WhatsApp number 82818 99479.
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