8 August : Proper rehabilitation for rescued child labourers and increasing the quantum of punishment for their employers were among the major recommendations put forward on Friday by various states to stop the practice.
The commissioners of 25 states who participated in the deliberations also observed that the family was the best place for rehabilitation of children rescued from the clutches of their employers.
However, a consensus could not be reached on increasing the age limit from 14 to 18 years for a person to be considered a child, Member of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Sandhya Bajaj said.
The meeting was attended by senior officials and Commissioners of Labour from 25 states and Union territories and the discussion focussed on ways to attain Right to Education and eradicate child labour.
The commission will draw feedback from this consultation and then make recommendations to the government to bring changes in laws and policies to make child labour a history and complete realisation of right to education.
The report prepared by the NCPCR based on the recommendations would be presented before the Ministry of Women and Child Development very soon, Bajaj said.
This change is of paramount significance, when the country is witnessing an explosive demand for education from poor people.
Changes are required to ensure that laws and policies abet situations favourable for poor children, she said.