The Madhya Pradesh government has taken a firm stance against child labour, especially in hazardous industries. Through the ‘Shram Star Rating’ program by the Labour Department, any establishment employing child or bonded labour will receive zero points, irrespective of other performance metrics. The state has banned the employment of children aged 14 to 18 in hazardous industries, with labor officials instructed to rigorously enforce this regulation.
As part of the ‘Veda Initiative’ by the Labour Department, weekly review meetings are conducted to oversee the elimination of child labor. These meetings emphasize providing education, rehabilitation, safety, and improved opportunities for children, along with closely monitoring prosecution cases. Complaints lodged on the Child Helpline number 1098, a 24×7 toll-free service, are actively monitored and resolved.
Under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, courts can impose fines ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 or imprisonment between six months to two years for violations. Similarly, under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, violators face a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment or a fine up to Rs 2,000. The state government has also established provisions for rehabilitating rescued bonded laborers.
Through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (2021), adult male bonded laborers are eligible for Rs 1 lakh in rehabilitation aid. Orphaned children and female bonded laborers receive Rs 2 lakh, while victims of physical exploitation or human trafficking can avail Rs 3 lakh assistance. Each district has a dedicated corpus fund to facilitate prompt rehabilitation of rescued bonded laborers. Labor Department officials are tasked with ensuring strict enforcement of these laws and raising awareness among employers about the legal repercussions of employing child or bonded labor.
The ‘zero tolerance’ approach under the ‘Shram Star’ rating system is anticipated to serve as a robust deterrent, encouraging more establishments to maintain child labor-free workplaces.
