Eliminate child labour from mica mining in Jharkhand: Satyarthi

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Sunday stressed on the need to eliminate child labour from mica mining in Jharkhand and urged all stakeholders, including international brands, to become "champions in change".

According to an official statement issued by his office here, Satyarthi said this while addressing a public event in Jharkhand, where the state government, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation have come together to eliminate child labour from mica mining.

"I earnestly call upon all stakeholders including national as well as international brands that use mica in their supply chains to become champions in change," the statement quoted him as saying.

"Today is a historic day as the government, village communities, business leaders and civil society have come together for a collective commitment for child labour free mica mining," he said.

Satyarthi said innovative approach of creating 'Bal Mitra Grams' (child friendly villages) in Jharkhand has proved that eradication of child labour was possible with the joint efforts.

"I am confident that the lustre of cosmetics, glitter of paints and insulation in electrical appliances will not be tainted with blood, sweat and toil of children in mica mining," he said.