PANAJI
In a bid to make it safer for children, the Goa government has made it mandatory for producers and production companies to get the nod of the district collector if their work involves child artistes.
If the producer or production company wants to work with child actors in films, ad films, serials and any other audio-visual media production they will have to take prior permission from the Collector, according to changes notified in the rules under the Goa Child Labour Prevention Act.
Additionally, information related to the person who will be responsible for the safety of the child artistes while on the sets will also have to be furnished to the Collector, the new rules mandate.
The Department of Labour Welfare, had published these changes in the rules of the law for preventing exploitation of child labour back in early June and sought objections and feedback from the public.
These new rules have now been notified and those who require child artistes to work in various media productions including movies, advertisements, serials, reality shows, quiz shows, anchoring of events as well as programs sanctioned by the government will have to follow them.
Other rules notified mandate a maximum of five hours a day of work for child artistes, will have to compulsorily be given a break for rest after three hours. Also, arrangements will have to be made to ensure academics and school related activity of the child is not hampered due to their work in the production.
As for designating a responsible person for the child artistes' safety on the sets, there must be at least one such person for every five child artistes and no child right is violated in the duration of their association with the production.
Meanwhile, the notification of the amended Child Labour-related rules was welcomed by Peter S Borges, former chairperson the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
Borges who is currently assistant professor at the Goa University said the GSCPCR had taken suo motu cognizance of this issue in January 2022, after observing the gaps in the existing child labour regulations and rigorously pursued the matter.
"With the new rules in place, it is crucial that we now focus on stricter vigilance, especially along the coastal belt, which requires focused monitoring to ensure that children are not exploited," Borges said.
