Assam: 2 domestic child labourers rescued, residents booked

GUWAHATI, June 8, 2018: Dibrugarh district administration recently set up a task force where two children engaged as domestic workers were rescued on Thursday from different areas of the district. The task force was formed to tackle child labour in the district.

As per to a source, based on specific information, the team rescued a minor girl from the residence of Dipak Gogoi, a police sub-inspector attached to Lahowal police station. She was employed as a domestic help in Gogoi's residence at Ayub Ali Road of the town.

Another minor girl, also engaged as a domestic help, was rescued by the team from the house of Uttam Saha, an advocate, from Milannagar J-Lane.

The labour department has filed separate FIRs against the two house owners at Dibrugarh police station under Section 3 of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016. The two girls have been put up in a children's home.

The task force comprises community leaders, Anganwadi workers, social activists, NGOs, village defence parties, village headmen, locals and police.

Last month, three children, engaged as domestic workers, were rescued from Dibrugarh. "Due to lack of awareness many people engage children as domestic workers. In some cases they are ill-treated and engaged in hazardous work," said an official of the labour department.

The Dibrugarh district administration has launched a Childline toll-free number – 1098 to deal with complaints related to child labour.

According to the act, a "child" is defined as any person below the age of 14. It prohibits employing a child in any job, including that of a domestic help. It is a cognizable criminal offence to employ a child for any work.

Source: The Telegraph

Featured image: Haiku Deck