Sharp drop in child labour cases in Andhra Pradesh, say officials

Authorities have reported a sharp decline in child labour cases in Andhra Pradesh over the past three years, attributing the trend to sustained enforcement of rehabilitation measures and the strict implementation of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.

Official data shows that 1,040 child labourers were identified in 2023 — 63 in hazardous sectors and 977 in non-hazardous establishments. The number dropped to 584 in 2024 (24 hazardous, 560 non-hazardous) and further to 291 in 2025 (15 hazardous, 276 non-hazardous).

Labour Commissioner M.V. Seshagiri Babu told The Hindu that the department had filed minimum wage claims on behalf of rescued children, securing back wage disbursements of ₹17,35,060 in 2023, ₹14,80,433 in 2024, and ₹4,82,907 in 2025. All rescued children and adolescents were produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and handed over to the Women and Child Development and Education Departments, as well as their parents, with counselling for rehabilitation and enrolment in nearby schools.

Enforcement in line with the Supreme Court’s M.C. Mehta case guidelines also led to action against employers — 22 cases in 2023, 16 in 2024, and three in 2025. Penalties collected at ₹20,000 per case totalled ₹4.4 lakh in 2023, ₹3.2 lakh in 2024, and ₹60,000 in 2025. Officials said the funds were deposited in the District Child and Adolescent Labour Rehabilitation Fund, jointly managed by the District Collector and the Deputy Commissioner of Labour, as mandated under Section 14(B) of the Act and Rule 16(A) of the 1988 Rules.

To aid anti-child labour drives, each Deputy Commissioner of Labour in the State’s 26 districts was allocated ₹1 lakh to meet operational expenses.

Authorities said the downward trend reflects stronger enforcement, rising public awareness, and better inter-departmental coordination, but stressed that continued vigilance is essential to eradicate the practice completely.