AGRA: As many as 18 business establishments have been slapped with a fine of Rs 1.48 lakhs for employing children. The enforcement wing of the labour department, during its special drive between June 20 and July 5, had rescued 118 child workers from four districts -- Agra, Mathura, Mainpuri and Firozabad . Several cases were filed against the business establishments which were found taking the services of children below the age of 14 years.Agra divisional labour commissioner Dharmendra Singh said, “The cases registered against the 18 businesses identified for employing child labour were presented in the court of the chief judicial magistrate. The department submitted all the required evidences. Finally, on December 8, during the national Lok Aadalat, the court found all the 18 businesses guilty.”The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, prohibits employment of children below 14 years of age. It also bars employment of children below 18 years of age in hazardous works.Singh said: “The labour department is constantly working to curb child labour. Besides the businesses, action will be taken against parents who send their children for work. The penalty recovered from the businesses will be used in welfare of the children.”

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