24 July 2021 07:16 pm
In the wake of the death of a 16-year old girl at former a minister's house, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said that steps will be taken to inspect wealthy households closely in the Colombo area to check whether under-age children are being employed as domestic helpers.
NCPA Chairman Prof. Muditha Vidanapathirana said that the authority has received information that under-age children are being employed as domestic aides in some city's wealthy households.
"We have received information that small children are being kept as domestic workers in the residences of wealthy families in and around Colombo. We are hoping to inspect such houses in the next few days. If there are under-aged children, we will not hesitate to arrest those residents" he said.
It was reported that both girls and boys from poor families, particularly from the plantation community, continue to be employed as domestic workers by households in Colombo and other urban areas.(DSB)