By Agartala Correspondent | Tripura 24.in
AGARTALA | May 20, 2026
AGARTALA: In a decisive step toward eliminating child labor and strengthening social security nets for the unorganized working class, the State Labour Directorate organized a high-level sensitization meeting today. The crucial interaction was held at the conference hall of Shram Bhavan (Labour Directorate) located at Office Lane, Agartala, bringing together the Presidents and Secretaries of various merchant associations and local market committees (Bazar Samitis) from across the capital.
The meeting focused on establishing zero-tolerance zones for child labor in commercial establishments and ensuring proper enrollment of eligible workers into state and central welfare schemes.
Key Decisions and Action Points
The Labour Department administration and the merchant representatives arrived at a series of consensus points during the multi-hour session:
- Zero-Child Labor Mandate: Retailers, wholesalers, and restaurant owners under all market committees must strictly enforce a ban on hiring minors under the age of 14, with severe legal penalties for violators.
- Welfare Board Registrations: Business owners were urged to proactively assist their casual staff, loaders, and shop assistants in registering with the Tripura Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board to claim medical and pension benefits.
- Joint Inspection Drives: The department will collaborate with Bazar Samiti members to carry out routine internal audits to identify vulnerable children working under duress.
“Commercial Hubs Must Lead by Example”: Joint Labour Commissioner Binay Bhushan Das
Briefing media personnel on the sidelines of the conference, Joint Labour Commissioner Shri Binay Bhushan Das emphasized that the government is aiming for a complete systemic shift through public-private cooperation rather than relying solely on punitive raids.
”Our meeting today with the Presidents and Secretaries of the leading Merchant Associations is an effort to make the business community our primary allies in this fight. We have made it absolutely clear that employing children in any commercial establishment is not just an offense under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, but a social evil that ruins the state’s human index.
Simultaneously, we discussed expanding the reach of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) schemes and other unorganized sector benefits to the grassroots. The market leadership has promised full compliance, and we will be monitoring the markets closely,” Joint Labour Commissioner Binay Bhushan Das stated to reporters.
Market Associations Pledge Full Support
The representatives of the Agartala Merchant Associations welcomed the dialogue, admitting that a gap in administrative awareness often prevents small-scale traders from understanding formal employment laws. The Bazar Samiti leaders assured the Joint Commissioner that they would immediately issue internal notifications across their respective jurisdictions, warning shop owners of swift trade-license suspensions if they are found exploiting underage workers.
