The Problem Of

Child Labour in India

-Debarghya Nandi, class- XII
 1.Introduction
What Is Child Labour?

• Child labor refers to the employment of children

in work that is harmful to their health, safety, or
development, or that interferes with their
education. It is a practice that deprives children of
their childhood and is often exploitative.
• Child labor is a violation of children's rights and
is prohibited under international conventions like
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of
the Child (UNCRC) and various ILO conventions.
Efforts to eliminate child labor focus on providing
access to education, improving economic
conditions, and enforcing legal protections.
 2. Causes of Child
Labour in India
• 1. Poverty
• Economic Necessity: Poverty is the most
significant cause of child labor in India.
Many families live in extreme poverty,
forcing children to work to contribute to
the household income. In some cases, the
income generated by children is essential
for the family’s survival.
• Debt Bondage: Some families incur debts
that they are unable to repay, leading to
situations where children are forced to
work to help settle these debts.
• 2. Lack of Access to Education
• Inadequate School Infrastructure: In many
rural and impoverished areas, schools are
either non-existent or poorly equipped,
leading to high dropout rates. Without
access to quality education, children are
more likely to enter the workforce.

• High Costs of Education: Even when

education is available, the costs
associated with schooling, such as fees,
uniforms, and books, can be prohibitive
for poor families, pushing children into
work instead.
• Cultural Attitudes Towards Education: In
some regions, there is a cultural bias
against formal education, especially for
girls. Families may prioritize work over
schooling, believing that education will
not provide immediate economic
benefits.
• 3. Social and Cultural Factors
• Traditional Practices: In some
communities, child labor is a socially
accepted norm, particularly in
family-run businesses, agriculture,
and artisan work. This cultural
acceptance perpetuates the cycle of
child labor.
• Caste System: In some cases,
children from lower castes or
marginalized communities are more
vulnerable to exploitation and child
labor due to systemic
discrimination.
• 4. Economic Factors
• Informal Economy: A significant portion
of India’s economy is informal, with little
regulation or enforcement of labor laws.
This environment creates opportunities
for the exploitation of cheap child labor.
• Demand for Cheap Labor: Industries like
textiles, agriculture, mining, and domestic
work often rely on cheap labor, and
children are employed because they can
be paid less than adults.
• Urbanization: Rapid urbanization has led
to an increase in child labor in cities,
where children are employed in various
informal sectors like street vending, rag-
picking, and small-scale industries.
 3. Types of Child
Labour in India
• 1. Agricultural Sector

• Field Work: Many children work in

agriculture, often alongside their parents,
performing tasks like sowing, weeding,
harvesting, and tending to livestock. This
work is usually seasonal and can involve
long hours under harsh conditions.
• Commercial Farming: In some regions,
children are employed on commercial
farms where they are exposed to
pesticides, heavy machinery, and
physically demanding labor.
• Plantations: Children work on tea, coffee,
and rubber plantations, where they may be
involved in picking crops, carrying heavy
loads, and processing raw materials.
 • 2. Manufacturing and Industry
• Textiles and Garments: The textile and
garment industry is one of the largest
employers of child labor in India. Children
are involved in spinning, weaving, dyeing,
and stitching garments, often in unsafe
and poorly lit conditions.
• Fireworks and Matchstick Industries:
Children are employed in hazardous
conditions in industries like fireworks
manufacturing, where they are exposed
to chemicals and dangerous working
environments.
• Carpet Weaving: India’s carpet industry
employs many child laborers, who work
long hours on intricate designs. This work
is often done in cramped spaces with little
regard
ThePhoto for the children's
by PhotoAuthor is licensedhealth.
under CCYYSA.
• Brick Kilns: Children in brick kilns carry
and mold heavy loads of clay, often
working in extreme heat and unhealthy
conditions.
 4. legal framework and
government initiatives
Ion child labor in India
• India has established a comprehensive legal
framework and implemented various
government initiatives to address and combat
child labor. Despite these efforts, challenges
remain in enforcement and implementation.
Below is an overview of the key legal
provisions and government initiatives
targeting child labor in India.
• Constitutional Provisions
• Article 24: Prohibits the employment of
children below the age of 14 years in factories,
mines, and other hazardous occupations.
• Article 21A: Mandates free and compulsory
education for all children between the ages of
6 and 14 years, aiming to reduce child labor by
ensuring that children are in school.
• Article 39(e) and (f): Directs the State to
ensure that children are not abused and that
they are provided with opportunities to
develop in a healthy and dignified manner.
• The Child Labour (Prohibition and
Regulation) Act, 1986 (Amended in 2016)
• Prohibition of Child Labour: The Act
prohibits the employment of children below
14 years in any occupation or process, with
certain exceptions for family-based work and
entertainment industries, provided it does not
affect their education.
• Adolescent Labour: The 2016 amendment
introduced the concept of “adolescent labor,”
allowing the employment of children aged 14
to 18 in non-hazardous occupations and
processes.
• List of Hazardous Occupations: The Act
specifies a list of hazardous occupations and
processes where adolescent labor is
prohibited.
• Penalties: The Act imposes stricter penalties
for violators, including imprisonment and
fines for employing children in prohibited
occupations.
 5. The Role of NGOs and
Civil Society in child
labour in india
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and civil
society play a crucial role in addressing the issue of
child labor in India. They complement government
efforts by advocating for policy changes, rescuing
and rehabilitating child laborers, raising awareness,
and providing education and vocational training to
children. Here’s an overview of how NGOs and civil
society contribute to combating child labor in India:
• 1. Rescue and Rehabilitation
• Rescue Operations: NGOs often collaborate with
law enforcement agencies to rescue children from
hazardous work environments. Organizations like
Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), founded by
Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, have been
instrumental in rescuing thousands of child
laborers from bonded labor, trafficking, and
hazardous industries.
• Rehabilitation Centers: After rescue, NGOs
provide children with immediate care, counseling,
and medical assistance. They also establish
rehabilitation centers where children receive
education, vocational training, and psychological
support to reintegrate into society.
• 2. Education and Vocational Training
• Non-Formal Education: Many NGOs set
up non-formal education centers that
offer flexible learning schedules tailored
to the needs of former child laborers.
These centers help children catch up on
lost education and prepare them for
reintegration into formal schools.
• 3. Awareness and Advocacy
• Raising Awareness: NGOs conduct
awareness campaigns to educate
communities about the harms of child
labor and the importance of education.
These campaigns target parents,
employers, and the general public to shift
social norms and reduce the acceptance
of child labor.
• Advocacy for Policy Change: Civil society
organizations actively lobby the
government for stronger child labor laws
and better enforcement. They work to
close legal loopholes and push for policies
that protect children’s rights.
 Conclusion
• Child labor remains one of the most pressing social
issues in India, despite significant legal frameworks and
initiatives aimed at its eradication. This problem is
deeply rooted in poverty, lack of access to education,
and ingrained social norms that perpetuate the cycle of
exploitation. While the government has taken steps to
address child labor through legislation and policies, the
implementation and enforcement of these laws often
fall short due to systemic challenges, including
corruption and insufficient resources.
• The persistence of child labor not only deprives millions
of children of their fundamental rights but also hampers
India's progress toward becoming a fully developed and
equitable society. The economic implications of a large
child labor workforce are far-reaching, stunting national
development and perpetuating cycles of poverty.
• However, there are rays of hope. The efforts of non-
governmental organizations, combined with increasing
awareness among the public, have led to successful
interventions in many areas. The integration of
education and skill development programs has shown
promise in providing alternative livelihoods and
breaking the chains of child labor
 Bibliography

• Wikipedia-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_labour
• International Labour Organization-
https://www.ilo.org/international-
programme-elimination-child-labour-
ipec/what-child-labour
• UNICEF-
https://www.unicef.org/protection/child-
labour