Imphal, June 20 2009: A five day long awareness campaign on "Child Labour and wages of labourers working in the unorganised sectors" organised by the Eastern Citizens Organisation (ECO) was opened today.

The inaugural function of the awareness programme which would be conducted at Upripok, Noaremthong and Polem Leikai was graced by Lok Sabha MP, Dr T Meinya as chief guest, Commissioner of Labour and Employment, AR Khan as guest of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, MP T Meinya observed that child labour issue is not a light matter.

Even though various comments and observations were given by many section of the society, the problem of the child labour could not be solved.

Even though department concerns are on strict vigilance on the matter, engaging the child as labour is still on the raise.

He further observed the cheap wages given to the children behind engaging them as child labour.

It's a kind of exploitation of the children.In the state, mostly rich people are employing children.

But engaging children as domestic helper is not within the purview of the child labour.

Giving his presidential speech on the occasion, commissioner of labour, AR Khan said engaging children in works not comparable with their physical status is within the child labour.

It's an illegal practice.

In the international convention on child labour held in 1990, many counties of the globe signed an agreement.

In October 17 of the same year 57 countries have agreed to stop child labour.

Since the signing of the agreement, in Manipur also children engaging as labour have been reduced sharply.

But the critical issue on stopping child labour is where the children will be kept after they are taken out from engaging as labour as in Manipur there is shortage of rehabilitation package.

So, the only means is to divert children from engaging as labour step by step.

The matter ended a big support from the people and media, he added.

He further said that in the state the current rate of wages of the labour is Rs 81.40 per day for the unskilled labours, Rs 86.65 for the semi-skill labours and Rs 88.40 for the skill labours.

The rate was fixed by the government in 2007 .

At that the rate was comparably higher to that of other states of the country.

File process for revising the wages is underway, he informed the gathering.

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