CHILD LABOUR

🥢CHILD LABOUR🥢

Child labour is a form of exploitation in which children are forced to work, often in hazardous and dangerous conditions, on little or no pay. It is typically employed in the informal sector, such as in the home or on the street, and can involve long hours and hazardous work. Child labour is a violation of human rights and has been linked to a wide range of negative physical, social, and psychological outcomes for those who are subject to it.

Child labour implies lost or deprived childhood that leads to exploitation of children in various forms: mental, physical, social, sexual and so on.

Not all children in India are lucky to enjoy their childhood. Many of them are forced to work under inhuman conditions where their miseries know no end. Though there are laws banning child labour, still children continue to be exploited as cheap labour. It is because the authorities are unable to implement the laws meant to protect children from being engaged as labourers.

Unfortunately, the actual number of child labourers in India goes un-detected. Children are forced to work is completely unregulated condition without adequate food, proper wages, and rest. They are subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Causes of Child Labour:

 Factors such as poverty, lack of social security, the increasing gap between the rich and the poor have adversely affected children more than any other group. We have failed to provide universal education, which results in children dropping out of school and entering the labour force.

Loss of jobs of parents in a slowdown, farmers’ suicide, armed conflicts and high costs of healthcare are other factors contributing to child labour.

A widespread problem: 

Due to high poverty and poor schooling opportunities, child labour is quite prevalent in India. Child labour is found in rural as well as urban areas. The 2001 census found an increase in the number of child labourers from 11.28 million in 1991 to 12.59 million.

Children comprise 40% of the labour in the precious stone cutting sector. They are also employed in other industries such as mining, zari and embroidery, dhabas, tea stalls and restaurants and in homes as domestic labour.

What the law says about child labour?

According to Article 23 of the Indian Constitution any type of forced labour is prohibited. Article 24 states that a child under 14 years cannot be employed to perform any hazardous work. Similarly, Article 39 states that “the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused”.

In the same manner, Child Labour Act (Prohibition and Regulation) 1986 prohibits children under the age of 14 years to be working in hazardous industries and processes. Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act 2016 prohibits the employment of Children below 14 years in all employment and with the provisions for prohibition on employment of adolescents (14-18 Years) in the scheduled hazardous occupations and processes.

Role of panchayat members in mitigating child labour:

• Generate awareness about the ill-effects of child labour,Encourage parents to send their children to school.

• Create an environment where children stop working and get enrolled in schools instead.

• Ensure that children have sufficient facilities available in schools.

• Inform industry owners about the laws prohibiting child labour and the penalties for violating these laws.

• Activate Balwadis and Aanganwadis in the village so that working mothers do not leave the responsibility of younger children on their older siblings.

• Motivate Village Education Committees (VECs) to improve the conditions of schools.

Reasons for Banning All Forms of Child Labour

🪡Child Labour Inhibits Education:

Education is an important tool for the development of a child. Children, as part of the education system, should be allowed to focus on learning without any hindrance. However, child labor interferes with a child’s education, which is needed for a child to explore the opportunities available to them and achieve success in the future (Lee, Kim, and Rhee, 2021, p.6).

If children are compelled to work long hours instead of attending school, it can substantially impact their future development, educational opportunities, and economic growth. According to Lee, Kim, and Rhee (2021, p.7, child labor is robbing children millions of children’s education which is critical for their development. As a result, it is reasonable to conclude that education should be the primary reason for prohibiting all forms of child labor in supply chains.

🪡Child Labour Traps Children In Poverty:

Child Labour should be banned because it traps children in poverty. If a child joins the workforce too early, their lifetime earning potential is compromised. Working children have fewer opportunities to seek educational opportunities that will help them to earn better-paying jobs as adults (Feeny et al., 2021, p.891). 

In regards to this, someone who starts working at a young age may spend the rest of their life in a low-paying, risky job, unable to enhance their own or their future family’s financial status. In addition to hindrances to education, children are often exploited by employers. The children get less income even after working for more hours (Feeny et al., 2021, p.894). Thus, children end up trapped in poverty when they are introduced to work at a tender age.