The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on May 18 finalised the guidelines for child artistes in the entertainment industry. These cover the working hours and working conditions. The main rules for working with children for films, reality TV shows, documentaries and OTT web series are:
(1) The producer would need permission from the concerned district magistrate before a child participates in audio-visual media production or any commercial event.
(2) The producer shall arrange for appropriate facilities for education to ensure that there is no discontinuity from the child’s lessons in school, and no child/adolescent will be allowed to work consecutively for more than 27 days.
(3) The participation of children/adolescents may be done preferably on holidays so that they do not miss school.
(4) The producer needs to ensure that there has been no abuse, neglect or exploitation of the child during the entire process of the production and shooting.
(5) Child artistes will not be made to work for more than five hours a day.
(6) 20% of a child artiste’s salary will need to be directly deposited in a fixed deposit account.
(7) Children or adolescents should not be made to share dressing space or rooms with adults, especially those of the opposite gender.
(8) At least one parent or legal guardian should be present at all times if the child is below the age of six years.
Any violation of the rules will be punishable.
