Kohima, 12 June (MTNews): During the World Day Against Child Labour event held at Oriental College in Kohima today, Neingu Kulnu, the Coordinator of CHILDLINE Kohima, highlighted the unique terminology used for child labor in Nagaland.
According to Kulnu, child labor is referred to as “domestic helper” in the Nagaland context, which has unfortunately become a fashionable trend. She emphasized that child labor in Naga society is disguised as an act of kindness, and the Nagas fail to realize or acknowledge that those who bring children from rural areas are, in fact, indirectly engaging in child trafficking, which is illegal.
Kulnu further stated that many economically disadvantaged children, both boys and girls, who are brought to Kohima and Dimapur under the pretext of education, end up facing physical and sexual abuse. She noted that during the months of December to April, CHILDLINE received numerous cases of lost and found children and runaway domestic helpers who have escaped from their local guardians.
In light of these issues, Kulnu appealed to the public not to bring children from rural areas with the false promise of education and not to support those who seek children for domestic help.
As part of the event, the Drama Club of Oriental College presented a play depicting the abuse of a domestic helper. The awareness program, organized by the Drama Club and English Department of Oriental College in collaboration with CHILDLINE Kohima, revolved around the theme of “Social Justice for All: End Child Labour.”
Lack of amendments renders Child Labor Act ineffective in Nagaland
Meanwhile, during an event organized by the Ferrando Domestic Workers Alliance (FDWA) in collaboration with CHILDLINE Kohima at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School in Kohima, a startling revelation was made. It was disclosed that the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act of 2016 remains ineffective in Nagaland due to the state’s failure to amend the Act in the Legislative Assembly.
Pelezanuo Elizabeth, an official from CHILDLINE Kohima, who graced the event as the resource person, highlighted that Nagaland has not taken the necessary steps to amend the Act. Consequently, the state lacks provisions to combat child labour effectively.
In a conversation with reporters, Elizabeth stated, “Even if we come across cases of children engaged in domestic work, we cannot apply the Child Labour Act as it has not been amended in our state.” She further explained that such cases are instead registered as instances of missing children or runaway children.
Elizabeth revealed that Kohima alone witnesses the registration of three to four cases of abuse against children in domestic work on a monthly basis, resulting in approximately 100 cases per year in the district. She also informed that there are approximately 700 children involved in domestic work in Kohima.