Jharkhand Mica Mines Declared Child Labour Free

July 8, 2024

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) just recently said that there is no child labor in the mica mines of Jharkhand. The news was made at a big party in Koderma. It was a big step forward in the long-running fight against child labor in the area.

Background and Challenges

About twenty years ago, disturbing facts came to light about child labor in the mica mining business in Jharkhand. This was the start of the journey. In 2004, Bachpan Bachao Andolan did a study that showed that more than 5,000 kids were digging for and collecting mica in dangerous ways. It was scary to see that this number had grown to more than 20,000 by 2019. This showed how important it is to have a focused and successful plan to stop child labor right away.

The ‘Child Labour Free Mica’ Initiative

A strategy plan called “Child Labor Free Mica” was created and put into action by a group of people from different groups, such as the community, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and state and local governments. A big part of this project was getting kids and people in the neighborhood to directly fight for their rights and come up with solutions. The program’s main goals were to find children who were digging mica, save them, and get them into school. The program also tried to keep these kids in school so that they wouldn’t have to go back to dangerous work.

Achievements and Impact

Priyank Kanoongo, head of the NCPCR, says that all children who were involved in mica mining have been taken off the job and put in school. Not only is this a big win for the regions involved, but it also sets an example for similar steps to be taken around the world to stop child labor in unorganized sectors.

About NCPCR

Establishment and Purpose: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) was established in 2007 under the CPCR Act, 2005 in India to safeguard child rights. It functions under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Key Responsibilities: NCPCR addresses child-related grievances, including those in education, caregiving, and against unlawful acts. It ensures adherence to laws such as the Right to Education Act (2009) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Oversight and Inspections: The NCPCR checks child care centers and youth justice systems to make sure they meet child welfare standards. This improves the safety and well-being of all children.

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