The Department of Labour in Mysuru district has intensified its enforcement actions, booking 107 employers for failing to pay minimum wages to adolescent labourers. A total of Rs 3.8 lakh has been recovered as penalties from these employers.
Legal Provisions and Penalties
Under the Child and Adolescent Labour Act and the Minimum Wages Act, employers who hire adolescents and do not pay the prescribed minimum wages face both criminal and civil penalties. The law permits adolescents to work only in non-hazardous sectors, and any violation attracts strict action.
Raids and Rescues
Over the past three years, labour officials conducted raids at 4,351 workplaces across urban and rural areas of the district. These included industries, hotels, brick manufacturing units, puffed rice units, and garages. During these operations, eight child labourers aged below 14 were rescued. Officials confirmed that the children were rehabilitated, and cases were filed against their employers.
Authorities also identified 107 employers who employed adolescent labourers but paid them less than the minimum wages, thereby cheating these workers. Inspections revealed that these employers were misusing the legal provisions that allow adolescents to work in non-hazardous sectors.
Official Statement
Speaking to TOI, district labour officer Chethan Kumar stated that the department regularly conducts raids against child labour and penalises employers as per the law. He added that the penalties collected are used to rehabilitate adolescent workers in the district.
Helpline Numbers
The district labour officer urged members of the public to report any instances of child labour or underpayment of adolescent workers. Complaints can be filed with the Child Helpline at 1098 or the labour department helpline at 155214.
