HYDERABAD: Go to any small eateries or mechanic shops in the twin cities and chances are you will find a young boy buffing tables or running errands throughout the day. But the state labour department is set to crack down on child labour starting off by declaring Secunderabad as a ‘child labour-free zone’. The officials are aiming to crack the whip on outlets that hire children below the age of 15 and will be working with two non-governmental organisations - MV foundation and Divya Disha - which work to prevent child labour. S Naresh Kumar, deputy commissioner of labour, Hyderabad, was the one who initiated the novel programme. “Secunderabad has more than 1,000 business establishments including traders, small hotels and mechanic shops engaging more than 500 child labourers for their regular work, which is why we want to start the fight with child labour from this area,” he told City Express. “Child labour is a social evil which cripples kids’ lives. Most migrant children do not have homes and hence sleep at their work place. This affects their health and development. Parents sacrifice their children’s future when they see them as wage earners,” Naresh Kumar added. Initially they would concentrate on the Sarojini Devi (SD) road, Mahatma Gandhi (MG) road, Sardar Patel (SP) road and Rashtrapati (RP) road stretches. “We are sure we will make Secunderabad a child labour-free zone and put a stop to the social evil within two or three months,” he added. There at least 45,000 business establishments employing as many as 10,000 children in the twin cities. The main aim is to give publicity to the practice, Naresh Kumar said. “We will convene a meeting with traders, small businessmen, hoteliers, trade unions, Greater Hyderabad Municipality Corporation (GHMC) officials, education department and the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) on Wednesday in order to chalk out a comprehensive plan and take rehabilitation measures for the rescued children,” he said.
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