Draft Guidelines to Regulate Child Protection within the Entertainment Industry have been published by the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). The “Guidelines to Regulate Child Participation in the Entertainment Industry” were released by the Commission in 2011. With the latest draught, social media and Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms are now included in the rules’ expanded purview.
No youngster should be permitted to labour for more than 27 consecutive days, according to the law. Under the Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act of 1976, the youngster must work one shift per day, with breaks every three hours, and cannot be forced to sign an agreement to perform any services as a bonded labourer.
The producer must make sure that the schooling of the kids involved in the shooting won’t suffer. The draught policy specifies that a youngster who is exempted from school due to involvement in the entertainment industry must be instructed by a private tutor chosen by the producer.
“No child should be allowed to work for more than 27 consecutive days. The child shall participate in one shift each day with a break after every three hours and not be made to enter into an agreement for rendering any service as a bonded labourer under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The producer must ensure school education of children engaged in the shooting is not affected. A child excused from school attendance because of engagement in the entertainment industry shall be taught by a private tutor appointed by the producer,” said the rules.
It adds that at least 20 per cent of the child’s income be directly deposited in a fixed deposit in a nationalised bank in the name of the child to be credited on becoming an adult. The new rules bar children from being cast in a “role or situation that is inappropriate or causes distress.”
These also put the onus of ensuring a safe work environment for children on the production houses, adding the child artistes should not be exposed to harmful lighting, irritating or contaminated cosmetics.
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