NEW DELHI, 11 October 2006 — Authorities in India yesterday geared up to enforce a complete ban on hazardous child labor and free thousands of children working as domestic servants and in the hospitality sector, officials said.
India’s Labor Ministry which previously banned employment of children under 14 in factories, mines as well as other hazardous jobs, had in August announced new rules to broaden the definition of hazardous work. The ministry declared that the ban on child labor was being extended to include children working as domestic help and at roadside eateries, hotels, resorts and recreational centers and would be implemented from Oct. 10.
“State governments would start identifying and rescuing child workers from today. Many employers would voluntarily release such children,” a spokesman said.
