Child labour
Introduction:
Child labour is the exploitation of children through any form of work that interferes with
their ability to attend regular school, or is mentally, physically, socially and morally
harmful Such exploitation is prohibited by legislation worldwide, 4USl although these laws
do notconsider all work by children as child labour: exceptions include work by child artists,
family duties, supervised training, and some forms of work undertakern by Amish children, as
wellas by Indigenous children in the Americas, LálIS
Child labour hasexisted to varying extents throughout history. During the 19th and early 20th
centuries, many children aged 5-14 from poorer families worked in Western nationsand
their colonies alike. These children mainly worked in agriculture, home-based assembly
operations, factories, mining, and services such as news boys some worked night shifts
lasting 12 hours. With the rise of household income, availability of schools and passage
of child labour laws, the incidence rates of child labour fell.louu
Asof 2023, in the world's poorest countries, around one in five children are engaged in child
labour, the highest number of whom live in sub-saharan Africa, where more than one in four
children are so engaged.u This represents a decline in child labour over the preceding half
decade.
Globally the incidence of child labour decreased from 25% to 10% between 1960 and 2003,
according to the World Bank. "Nevertheless, the total number of child labourers remains
high, with UNICEF and ILQ acknowledging an cstimated 168 million children aged 5-17
worldwide were involved in child labour in 2013,SI
What is Child Labour?
Child Labour means when children are made to work in a way that takes away their
childhood, potential, and self-respect.
It includes work that is dangerous or harmful to children's physical, mental, social, or
moral well-being.
It also includes work that stops them from going to school, either by not allowing
them to attend or by forcing them to leave early.
Definition:
Child labour refers to work that is harmful to children's physical or mental health,
safety, or
moral development, often because it deprives them of education and play. It
encompasses a
range of activities, from hazardous work in factories and mines to forced labor and
trafficking Child labour is a global issue, with millions of children worldwide engaged in
work that jcopardizes their well-being.
Facts and Statistics of Child Labour in India
1. Total child population (5-14 years) in India: 259 6 million (Census 2011).
total child population) as
Z. Working children in India: 10.1 million (3.9% of the
"main workers" or "marginalworkers.
3. Out-of-school children in India: more than 42.7 million.
and 2011.
4. Child Labour decreased in India by 2.6 million between 2001 child workers
of
5. The decline is more visible in rural areas, while the number
increased in urban areas, indicating a growing demand for child workers in
menial jobs. were
6. In 2021, an estimated 10.1 million children in India, aged 5-14,
engaged in child labor, according to the International Labour
Organization. This represents 3.9% of the total child population in
that age group.
Causes of Child Labour
Poverty
Poverty is the single biggest cause of this issue in India. Children from poor families
often have to work to help support their famililes financially. They may work in
factories, on farms,or in the informal economy.
Lack of access to Quality Education
Many children in India do not have access to good schools. When children do not
have access toquality education,they are more likely to work instead of going to
school.
Growth of the Informal Economy:
The informal economyis made up of small businesses andself-employed workers.
The informal economy often employs them because it is difficult to enforce child
Labour laws in the informal sector.
Lack of Awareness
Most parents are unaware of the physical, mental, and psychological ill
Consequences of this issue.
Social and Economic Factors:
Child labour is often linked to broader issues like inequality, lack of social safety nets,
and weak enforcement of laws.
Consequencesof Child Labour
The consequences faced have afar-reaching impact on the child, society, and the
nation as a whole:
Health Risks: This exposes children to hazardous working conditions, physical and
mental abuse, and long hours of Labour, which can result in injuries, illnesses, and
developmental issues.
Education Deprivation: Working children are often denied access to education:
leading to a lack of basic literacy, imiting their future opportunities, and perpetuaung
the cycle of poverty.
Stunted Development: It disrupts normal childhood development, depriving chicren
of playtime, social interaction, and emotional well-being. hindering their physica.,
cognitive, and emotional growth.
Undermining Human Rights: It violates the fundamental rights of children, denying
them the right to education, protection, and a safe and healthy environment.
Poverty and Inequality: It keeps families trapped in acycle of poverty,as children's
earnings contribute minimally to the household income and hinder their long-term
economic prospects.
Social Disintegration: Itdisrupts family andcommunity dynamics as children are
forced into work instead of receiving proper care and education. This can lead to a
breakdown in social structures and intergenerational poverty.
Economic Implications: It deprives children of education, leading to a less skilled
workforce, reduced productivity, and limited opportunities for economic
advancement.
Human Capital Loss: It results in the loss of potential human capital as children are
denied education and skilldevelopment. This diminishes the nation's capacity to
compete globally and achieve sustainable development goals.
Social Welfare Burden: The physical and psychological consequences lead to
increased healthcare and social welfare costs for the nation. Governments must
allocate resources to address these issues, diverting funds from other critical areas.
Solutions to the Issue of Child Labour in India
Addressing the issue of child Labour in India requires a comprehensive approach
involving various stakeholders.
1. Strengthening Legislative Framework: Enforce and strengthen existing
such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, to ensure laws,
comprehensive protection for children and stricter penalties for offenders.
Amendments should align with international standards.
2. Access to Quality Education: Ensure universal access to free
and quality
education for all children. Implement and enforce the Right to Education Act,
focusing on reducing dropout rates and increasing enrollment in schools.
3- Poverty
Alleviation: Tackle the root
poverty alleviation causes of child Labour byimplementingin
programs, providing
poverty, and promoting economic support farmilies living
4. livelihood opportunities for parents.to
Awareness and Sensitization:
targeting parents, communities,Conduct
of child Labour widespread awareness campaigns
effects
and employers about
on children's physical, the detrimental
5.
Rehabilitation and mental, and educational development.
Social Protection: Develop and implement comprehensive
rehabilitation
progranms for rescued child including access to
education, vocational training, healthcare,laborers,
and psychological support.
EStablish social protection schemes for vulnerable families to
from entering the Labour prevent chidre
force.
O. International Cooperation: Collaborate with international
as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, organizations, Sucn
to acCess
expertise, technical assistance. and financial resources to combat child
Labour effectively.
I. Empowering Local Communities: Involve local communities, including
parents, teachers, and community leaders, in preventing child Labour.
Empower them to identify and report cases of child Labour and provide
Support for rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.
It is important to recognize that addressing child Labour is a complex and
multifaceted issue that requires sustained efforts, collaboration,and the commitment
of all stakeholders to create lasting change.
Legal Framework:
Constitutional Provisions:
Article 24: Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines,
or hazardous occupations.
Directive Principles (Article 39(e) & (): Mandate the State to ensure children
are not abused and their childhood is protected.
Statutory Instruments:
Child and Adolescent Labour(Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (Amended in
2016):
Prohibits employment of children below 14 in any occupation.
Bans adolescents (14-18 years) from hazardous processes.
Allows work in family enterprises after school hours--a controversial exception.
Juyenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015:_Treats child labour victims as
children in need of care and protection.
Right to Education Act, 2009: Ensures free, compulsory education for 6-14-year-olds,
indirectly reducing labour incidence.
Judicial Support
The Supreme Court
dignity) has
multiple verdictsupheld
in
(M.C.
child rights as part of Article 21 to Life with
The Ground Reality: Mehta v. State of Tamil Nadu,(Right
1996).
Magnitude of the Problem
UNICEF analysis of PLFS
labour, (2018-19) estimates 18-33 lakh children engaged in
Nearly 50% of working children are employed within their
detection harder. families, making
Worst-affected sectors: agriculture, fireworks, glass-making, leather tanning,
mining, construction.
" Hazards and Exploitation
Children are exposed to toxic chemicals, abusive conditions, injuries, and verbal
and physical assault.
Lack of access to basic sanitation, healthcare, and education leads to long-term
physical and mental damage.
Enforcement Crisis and Administrative Apathy:
Low Conviction, Lower Data
In 2021, only 613 cases were registered under the Child Labour Act-a
shockingly low figure given the actual scale.
Data gaps persist:
No updated Census figures since 2011.
Lack of rural-urban, gender-wise disaggregation.
Weak convergence between labour departments, police, and child
welfare agencies.
Implementation Failure Examples
Madhya Pradesh distillery case (2024): 58 children rescued after
11-hour shifts with chemical burns--highlighting state-level inspection
failures.
