Child workers; HC asks Delhi govt to consider NGO's suggestion

The Delhi High Court today asked the city government to consider suggestions, to be mooted by an NGO, to ensure rescue of child workers from various industrial units and other places here.
"The petitioner NGO (Save the Childhood Foundation) will list out steps to be taken in this regard in one week from today and the proposal shall be considered by the authorities concerned," a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw said and fixed the case for hearing on September 1.
Senior advocate H S Phoolka, appearing for the NGO, said the authorities are "very slow" in rescuing children workers employed in various industries here.

"By this pace, it will take 36 years in ensuring that all child workers are rescued," he said, adding the labour inspectors are aware about the places where children are illegally employed.
"Only 4,300 children, so far, have been rescued since 2009 and this is very very unfortunate," he said.
The court then said "you give us the suggestion. We will ask them to follow that."

It also asked Delhi government to ensure "periodic and random" visits of places where children are usually employed.
The court had earlier issued a slew of directions to authorities to rescue and rehablitate child workers.

In July 2009, the court had directed the government to take "immediate steps for rescue of child labourers whenever cases are being reported".