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United News of India
a day ago
- United News of India
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. UNI DS ARN
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- New Indian Express
140 child labour hotspots in Kerala; 56 kids rescued
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Here's a shocker! In what could prompt immediate action, the state women and child development (WCD) department has identified 140 child labour hotspots across the state, a majority of them in Ernakulam. The hotspots were identified in a statewide survey to trace children engaged in labour and begging, and those living on the streets. The WCD conducted 704 rescue drives in the previous financial year — a majority of them in Kannur — during which 56 children were rescued and given rehabilitation support. This was part of the Saranabalyam project launched in 2017 to locate and rehabilitate children trapped in labour. In recent years, the project was strengthened by linking it with 'Kaval Plus', which enabled more sustained interventions through coordination with the police, labour, education and health departments. The highest number of hotspots were identified in Ernakulam (30) and Idukki (13), and the least in Palakkad and Kozhikode (4 each). 'There were no cases of child labour recorded in the last year. We identified the hotspots from earlier cases and by monitoring probable areas like settlements of migrant labourers who come with families, border regions, plantations and during festivals,' said WCD director Haritha V Kumar. Child labour hotspots will be monitored through regular inspections: Officials 'Children found engaged in labour or living in unsafe conditions are removed immediately and provided shelter, care, rehabilitation and repatriation through the Child Welfare Committee,' Haritha said. 'Anyone who notices a child in distress or engaged in labour can report it by calling the child helpline at 1098,' Haritha said. Another official said instances of child labour involving Keralites are very rare, though not entirely absent. 'Most children found at risk are from other states who came here with their families and are more vulnerable to exploitation. Here, people are more sensitised. There is greater awareness about education,' said the official. 'In some districts, data may show identified hotspots but no rescues. This is because these involve children working with their parents in non-strenuous roles that do not strictly qualify as child labour. Rescuing such children unnecessarily may do more harm than good. It is ensured these children are well taken care of in their homes. Surveillance, awareness and rehabilitation are more effective than relying solely on punitive action,' the official said.
