Reinforcing its commitment to child welfare, the Uttar Pradesh government concluded the state-wide observance of Child Labour Eradication Week (June 12–17, 2025), held in alignment with World Day Against Child Labour. At the closing ceremony at Mars Auditorium, Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, the state reaffirmed its pledge to eliminate child labour by 2027. Over 1,000 participants, including officials from key departments, NGOs, students, parents of child labourers, and rehabilitated children, gathered in strong support of the mission.
Speaking as the chief guest, Labour and Employment Minister Anil Rajbhar stated that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set an ambitious goal to make Uttar Pradesh child-labour-free by 2027. “It’s a tough challenge, but the Yogi government’s commitment and foresight give us the confidence to achieve it,” he affirmed.
Africa has highest number of child labourers
Citing global trends, Rajbhar noted that Africa has the highest number of child labourers, followed by Asia, within which India leads, and among Indian states, Uttar Pradesh has the largest share. He called this a major social and administrative challenge requiring collective efforts.
Special Secretary Kunal Silku, in his welcome remarks, highlighted the state’s multi-pronged strategy for child protection, encompassing rehabilitation, education, health services, and grassroots monitoring. Amit Mehrotra, Programme Manager at UNICEF, stressed that child labour violates every child’s right to education, safety, and protection. He affirmed UNICEF’s continued collaboration with the Yogi government on ground-level initiatives.
11,000 child labourers rehabilitated
Labour Commissioner Markandey Shahi informed that more than 11,000 child labourers were identified and rehabilitated in Uttar Pradesh over the past year. “Under CM Yogi’s leadership, our campaign is not just about saving childhood, but securing the future,” he remarked.
Principal Secretary (Labour) Dr. M.K. Shanmugam Sundaram emphasised that child labour is now a global issue, not just a social one. “We aim to make UP a state where every child attends school and lives with dignity, that is the Yogi government’s resolve,” he added.
According to a report released by ILO and UNICEF in Geneva, 13.8 crore children were involved in child labour globally in 2024, with 5.4 crore engaged in hazardous work. India has over 1 crore child labourers, of which UP accounts for 2.5 lakh.
Departments including Education, Women and Child Welfare, Health, and Panchayati Raj shared their ongoing initiatives during the event. Deep Awasthi, member of the Kanpur Child Welfare Committee, discussed efforts in the direction of rehabilitation.
50 beneficiaries receive certificates
Pooja Yadav, Director General of Atal Residential Schools, shared the institution’s progress and screened a documentary film. Minister Anil Rajbhar also released two posters and a booklet on child labour elimination on the occasion.
Two rescued girls, Payal and Mahi, who were earlier forced into begging, were felicitated on stage, touching hearts as they shared their dream of becoming doctors. Over 50 beneficiaries also received certificates and entitlements under schemes like the Bal Shramik Vidya Yojana and Matritva Hit Yojana.
In the concluding session, representatives of trade unions and employer associations collectively expressed their commitment to fighting child labour. Ten districts, Lucknow, Kanpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Meerut, Agra, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, Unnao, Jaunpur, and Azamgarh, were honoured for their exemplary work in child labour elimination.
