Ernakulam to be declared child-labour free

KOCHI: Ernakulam will be declared child labour-free district in June with   the rate of child labourers in the district coming down drastically. After Alappuzha, Ernakulam will be the second district in the state to attain the  status.  “We are working hard towards getting the district free of child labourers in June. Inspections have been intensified to trace child labourers.  Instructions have been issued to everyone, including owners of hotels and  restaurants not to employ children below 14 years,” Regional Joint Labour Commissioner Vincent Alex told City Express. As per the Juvenile Act, children below the age of 14 are prohibited from  working. However, the authorities have been told to act against those who employ children below the age of 18. “So far, we have not come across any child labourers in the district,” Vincent Alex said. He added that a meeting will be held with Labour Minister Shibu Baby John at the earliest with  regard to the declaration.  Meanwhile, District Labour Officer (Enforcement) M K Mohan Kumar said the decision to declare the district as child-labour-free was taken at a meeting held on Monday. He also confirmed that no children below 14 years were found to be employed. “However, the authorities only check the certificates produced by those who employ them. This could be fake. There is no mechanism to check the authenticity of the certificates. But, we will inform the police in case of any doubt,” he said.