Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a state-wide campaign to eliminate child labour by 2027, focusing on education, rehabilitation, and economic support to families, according to an official statement released on Monday.

The campaign, which will involve coordination between multiple government departments, aims to provide children with access to education and protection from exploitation. Special awareness drives are planned for 12 June, aligning with the World Day Against Child Labour, to push the message further.

So far, 10,336 child labourers have been identified across the state as a result of ongoing efforts. Between 2017-18 and 2024-25, 12,426 children have been rehabilitated and brought back into the education system.

To support families and prevent recurrence, financial aid has been extended to 1,089 households. Under the 'Bal Shramik Vidya Yojana', 2,000 children who were working have now been enrolled in schools. “The scheme not only promotes education, but also works to transform social attitudes towards child labour,” the statement said.

The government has also addressed bonded labour, rehabilitating 1,408 individuals between 2018-19 and 2024-25 and providing them financial assistance amounting to ₹18.17 crore.

Eight welfare schemes for workers in the organised sector are currently being run through the Labour Welfare Council, with a ₹40 crore corpus fund set aside to support them. In the current financial year alone, ₹1.32 crore has been disbursed to 309 workers.

The campaign reflects the administration’s approach towards building a child-centric future. “Guided by Adityanath's vision of the greatest investment of all is that in children, the government is committed to steer every child in the state toward education, security, and dignity by eradicating child labour,” the statement added.

BI Bureau