A proposal to put a complete ban on employment of children up to the age of 14 both in hazardous and non-hazardous work by amending an anti-child labour Act was cleared by the government on Tuesday.
The Union Cabinet, which met here, approved bringing amendment to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, which has also penal provisions for non compliance.
As per the existing Act, children below 14 years of age are allowed to work in industries not considered to be hazardous.
Children between 14-18 years will also be defined as ‘adolescents’ in the amended Act, said Labour and Employment Ministry officials.
Officials said, the amendment will also fulfill the mandate of Right to Education to free and compulsory education for children in the age group of 6-15 years.
The amendment will also bring labour laws in the country in line with ILO norms.