Strongly opposing the government's proposed amendments to the Child Labour Act, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi today held a human chain protest here, comprising mainly of children, and urged the Centre to ensure free education to them till they attain the age of 18 years.
Hitting out at the proposed amendments, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan told reporters that such alterations to the Act would be detrimental to the interests of children, their education and future.
"This will only pave the way for an increase in child labourers," he said, leading the human chain at Marina beach.
Hundreds of children participated in the protest, holding placards with slogans like "Sorry we are not labourers", "Don't snatch away children's right to education by amendments to Child Labour Act."
The Cabinet on May 13 had approved an amendment in the 1986 Child Labour Act for allowing children under 14 years to work in non-hazardous industries run by family, including agriculture and home-based work, forest gathering, etc.
NGOs and political parties have opposed this.
"Child labour must be eliminated fully and the government (Centre) should come forward to provide free education to children till they are 18-years old," Thirumavalavan, a former MP and an ally of opposition DMK, said.
