Bhubaneswar: Marking World Day Against Child Labour, the Odisha government on Thursday launched a multi-pronged awareness campaign that will continue till June 26, 2026. Chithra Arumugam, Additional Chief Secretary, Labour and Employees State Insurance Department, unveiled an anti-child labour poster at the Directorate of Labour premises in Bhubaneswar.
A ‘Shishu Shram Nirakaran Rath’ was also flagged off to create awareness against child labour across the state.Speaking at the event, Arumugam stressed strict implementation of the Child and Juvenile Labour (Prohibition and Control) Act, 1986.
“Eradication of child labour is a multi-pronged effort, hence coordination among various departments is required,” she said.
Coordination with the Women and Child Development Department and the School and Mass Education Department has been further strengthened for the protection and promotion of child rights. She called upon all stakeholders to work together to make Odisha child labour free.
Labour Commissioner Indramani Tripathy briefed about the campaign’s objectives. The drive will include district-level rallies, meetings of enforcement officers, raids and rescue operations, and sensitising students to raise their voice against child labour. All District Collectors and District Labour Officers have been directed to ensure the campaign’s success.
Representatives from People’s Cultural Centre, Community Radio Association, International Justice Mission, Ruchika Social Service Organisation, and Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL) participated in the event, along with officials from the Directorate of Labour and the Office of the Joint Labour Commissioner, Khordha.
