The Labour Department of the Union Territory of Chandigarh has published the Draft Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Chandigarh Rules, 2025 under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.
The draft rules are now open for public consultation. Stakeholders and the general public are invited to submit their suggestions or objections within 30 days from the date of publication (8/09/2025), either in writing or via email to: alcld-chd@chd.nic.in.
The full draft is available on the official websites:
- Chandigarh Administration Public Notices
- Chandigarh Labour Department
🔍 Key Highlights of the Draft Rules:
📌 1. Awareness & Outreach:
- Use of folk, traditional, and mass media to raise awareness.
- Provisions to display rule information in public places like railway stations, malls, hospitals, police stations, and schools.
- Inclusion of child labour awareness in school syllabi and professional training programmes.
👪 2. Family Involvement with Restrictions:
- Children can assist in family enterprises only under strict conditions:
- Not during school hours or between 7 PM–8 AM.
- No involvement in hazardous or remunerative activities.
- Work limited to 3 hours a day, excluding rest.
- Help must not affect education, physical or mental well-being.
🎭 3. Children as Artists:
- Children may work in entertainment or artistic activities only with:
- Prior permission from the District Magistrate.
- Mandatory rest periods and education continuity.
- 20% of income to be deposited in a fixed deposit account.
- No child to be forced into any performance.
🕒 4. Work Hours for Adolescents:
- Adolescents’ working hours must comply with existing labour laws.
📘 5. Mandatory Register:
- Employers must maintain a register (Form A) for adolescent workers for 3 years.
💰 6. Rehabilitation Fund:
- Rehabilitation funds to be transferred to children’s bank accounts.
- Interest payments every 6 months; full amount released at age 18.
🧾 7. Age Verification:
- Aadhaar, school records, or medical tests (like ossification) to verify age.
- Cost of age determination to be borne by employers.
🧑⚖️ 8. Compounding Offences:
- First-time offenders or guardians may apply for compounding.
- Fines must be paid within a stipulated time to avoid prosecution.
🧑💼 9. Role of District Magistrate:
- To form and chair a district-level Task Force for rescue and rehabilitation.
- Monthly meetings required; plans to be uploaded to the government portal.
👮 10. Inspector Duties:
- Regular inspections, quarterly reporting to the government.
- Maintain electronic records of rescued children and cases compounded.
📊 11. Monitoring Mechanism:
- Regular inspections of hazardous workplaces.
- Documentation of offences, rehabilitation, and monitoring of rescued children.
📢 Call for Public Participation:
This draft marks a significant step in enforcing child labour laws and protecting children’s rights in Chandigarh. Citizens, NGOs, educators, and businesses are encouraged to review the draft rules and submit their feedback to help shape an effective and inclusive final regulation.