Child Labour

Published on 17 Feb 2025

The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) defines a child as an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 also go with the same definition.

Child Labour

According to UNICEF, nearly 10.1 million children in India are engaged in child labour, with 4.5 million being girls and 5.6 million being boys. Uttar Pradesh is the leader with around 2.1 million child labourers, followed by Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra etc.

Reasons for prevalence of Child Labour

✔ Poverty: Families facing extreme financial hardship may rely on the additional income that children can contribute to make ends meet.

✔ Example: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the top two states in child labour, also has the maximum number of people living in poverty.

✔ Poor state of education: The absence of proper educational facilities discourages families from prioritizing their children's education over their immediate economic needs.

● Example: Based on a survey conducted in 81 schools in Bihar, none of them met the Right to Education norms and the attendance in these schools were only 20%.

✔ High education cost: The cost of providing quality private education to aid children secure a good job is very high, which deters parents from investing in education.

● Example: As per ET Online research, educating a child at a private school in India from the age of 3 to 17 costs around 30 lakhs.

✔ Low cost for employer: Employers, seeking to reduce labour costs, exploit children who are willing to work for lower wages and under poor conditions.

✔ Lack of adult workers in agriculture: Rural adults migrate to urban areas for employment. This exposes rural children to agricultural jobs.

● Example: Agriculture jobs alone contribute to around 57% of the total child labour in India.

✔ Unprecedented disruption/losses: Natural disasters, conflicts and pandemics can disrupt the normal functioning of society and increase the vulnerability of children and may be forced to work for survival or be exploited by traffickers and other perpetrators.

● Example: As per UNICEF and ILO, globally there has been an increase of 8.4 million children under employment in the last four years, mainly due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Consequences of child labour

✔ Health deterioration: Exposure to hazardous conditions, physical strain, and lack of access to proper nutrition and healthcare leads to chronic health problems, stunted growth, and a higher susceptibility to diseases.

● Example: Report from Sivakasi reveals children exposed to chlorate and sulphur dust, leading to coughing, dizziness, methemoglobinemia and anaemia.

✔ Education deprivation: Child labour disrupts a child's education, limiting their ability to acquire essential knowledge and skills which can lead to a cycle of low-wage and exploitative employment.

● Example: The high dropout rates and low attendance in many rural schools are due to the diversion of students for employment.

✔ Physical and psychological exploitation: They face physical abuse, harassment, and other forms of mistreatment at the hands of employers or supervisors.

● Example: As per a study conducted by IJCRT, in India, 36% children employed as labourers faced emotional maltreatment, while 12% faced sexual maltreatment.

✔ Social isolation: Children working for long hours have very little time for social activities, play, and interaction with their peers. This isolation can hinder their social and emotional development.

✔ Impact on future opportunities: Lack of education and exposure to exploitative work environments can severely limit a child's future opportunities.

● Example: The high skilled high reward jobs cannot be captured by these children due to lack of adequate skill and capability.

✔ Cycle of poverty: Children forced into labour are more likely to grow up with limited skills and educational qualifications, making it difficult for them to break free from poverty in adulthood.

Government initiatives and constitutional provisions to prevent child labour

✔ Article 24: This article of the Indian Constitution prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 in factories, mines, or any other hazardous employment.

✔ Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986: Prohibits the employment of children in certain occupations and processes and also regulates the conditions of work for children in permissible employment. The Act defines a "child" as a person who has not completed 14 years of age.

✔ National Policy on Child Labour, 1987: Outlines the government's commitment to tackle child labour and promoting the welfare of working children through a holistic and integrated approach involving education, social protection, and poverty alleviation.

✔ Factories Act, 1948: Prohibits the employment of children below 14 years of age in any factory and restricts the working hours and conditions of adolescents (14 to 18 years) who are allowed to work only in non-hazardous processes.

✔ National Child Labour Project (NCLP): A centrally sponsored scheme that focuses on rehabilitating child labourers by providing them with education, vocational training, and other support services.

Way Forward

✔ Strengthening Legislation and Enforcement: Review and strengthen existing laws related to child labour, ensuring they are comprehensive and in line with international standards.

✔ Promoting Education: Expand access to quality education, particularly in rural and marginalised areas and implement awareness campaigns to emphasize the importance of education and the detrimental effects of child labour on a child's future.

✔ Poverty Alleviation: Implement targeted poverty alleviation programs to address the root causes of child labour. Promote sustainable livelihoods for families to reduce economic dependence on child labour.

✔ Social Awareness and Advocacy: Conduct awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes and norms regarding child labour. Mobilise communities, civil society, and media to advocate for the rights of children and against child labour.

By implementing these strategies collectively and addressing the multifaceted nature of child labour, there is a greater chance of creating a lasting change and ensuring the well-being of children.