Bhubaneswar, 12 June (H.S.): The Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Department of the Odisha Government observed the World Day Against Child Labour on Friday with a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening awareness and enforcement against child labour across the state.

The programme was held at the Directorate of Labour premises in Kharavel Nagar, where Additional Chief Secretary of the Labour and ESI Department, Mrs. Chithra Arumugam, unveiled a poster highlighting the importance of child labour prohibition. She also launched a fortnight-long awareness campaign against child labour, which will continue until June 26, 2026.

Addressing the gathering, the Additional Chief Secretary emphasized the strict implementation of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. She stated that the eradication of child labour requires a multi-dimensional approach and close coordination among various government departments. She highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration with the Women and Child Development Department and the School and Mass Education Department to ensure the protection and promotion of children's rights.

Calling for collective action, she urged all stakeholders to work together towards making Odisha free from child labour.

As part of the campaign, a specially designed “Child Labour Eradication Awareness Rath” was flagged off to spread awareness across different regions of the state. Odisha Labour Commissioner Mr. Indramani Tripathy outlined the objectives of the campaign and detailed the activities planned during the awareness drive.

He informed that district-level rallies, meetings of enforcement officials, inspection and rescue operations, and awareness programmes for students will be conducted to encourage active participation in the fight against child labour. He also noted that all District Collectors and District Labour Officers have been directed to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign.

Representatives from several civil society organizations, including People's Cultural Centre, Community Radio Association, International Justice Mission, Ruchika Social Service Organisation, and Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), participated in the programme. Officials from the Directorate of Labour and the Office of the Joint Labour Commissioner, Khordha, were also present on the occasion.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda