Child labor is exploiting children by giving them any form of work that deprives them of their childhood and education. Child labor is very harmful to a child’s mental, physical, social, and moral development.
The problem of child labor is not new to India or worldwide, In the census of 2011, the total number of child labor between the age group 5-14 were 10.1 million out of total 259.64 million children in India. Child labor is not only an Indian problem around 217 million children work as child labor worldwide and many of them worked as full-time laborers. According to the world bank, Child labor has been decreased to 10% from 25% between year 1960 and 2003. The UNICEF and ILO concluded that about 168 million children work as child labor between the age groups 5-17 in 2003.
What is Child Labor?
According to the Child and Adolescent labor (prohibition and regulation), Act 1986 which was amended in 2016 gave the clear definition of the child that any person below the age of 14 years is defined as a child, and child labor is a way of exploitation of these children by giving them work that deprives them of their childhood, dignity and potential and harms their physically and mentally. When the work hinders their schooling or forces them to leave schooling early or they are forced to work for long hours along with schooling.
Definition of Child Labor by UNICEF
According to UNICEF the activities given to children between 5 to 11 years of age are considered as child labor if he or she works at least 28 hours in a week. In the case of children between 12 to 14 years o0f age, 14 hours of economic activity or 42 domestic activity along with economic activity per week is considered as child labor.
What is Child Labor in India?
Children between the age of 14-18 are termed as ‘Adolescents’. These groups are allowed to work but not in hazardous surroundings like mining, explosive-related work as per the Factories act 1948.
In 2001 it was estimated that approximately 1% ( 120,000 approx.) of all child labor works in a hazardous environment. As per the constitution of India article 24 child labor is prohibited in a hazardous environment. In the census 2001, child labor was defined as the physical or mental involvement of children below 17 years of age into the economically productive sectors.
The Indian government has categorized child labor into 2 groups:
- Main workers (children involved in labor for 6 months or more per year)
- Marginal workers (children involved in labor for less than 6 months per year)
Acts Made by the Government to Fight Against Child Labor in India
As child labor is a serious issue in India and many children are victimized, the government has taken many initiatives to fight against this national hazard. These acts have resulted in reducing child labor to a great extent. Let’s have a look at them:
1. Factories Act, 1948
This act bans the working of children below the age of 14 years in any factory. It also gave a clear understanding that who, when, and for how long the adolescents of age 15-18 can be employed in a factory.
2. Mines act 1952
It banned the working of the child below the age of 18 years in any mine.
3. Child and Adolescent labor (prohibition and regulation) Act 1986
It states that working of any child below the age of 14 years is prohibited and it also states that children between the age of 14-18 are allowed to work but not in hazardous environments like mining.
4. Juvenile Justice (care and protection) of children act 2015
It makes the bondage of a child for an economical activity completely prohibited and can lead to imprisonment.
5. Right to free and compulsory education act 2009
This act made child education free and compulsory between the ages 6-14 Years. This act also states that 25% of the seats in any private educational institution should be reserved for economically backward classes.
Causes of Child Labor in India
There are many reasons which force small children to be exposed to employment at a very early age which leads to the devastation of their childhood and future. The causes of child labor in India are:
1. Poverty and Unemployment
As India has a high rate of poverty and a declining rate of employment, small children are forced into child labor to meet their family needs.
2. Education is Expensive
Sadly, education in India is getting expensive which is unaffordable for many families. Parents prefer to send their children for some work rather than schools. The solution to this problem is to provide free education.
3. The existing policies and laws are often violated
People in India often break the rules and regulations regarding child labor. The rate of child labor is so high that many of the cases remain unnoticed. Although the government has made policies and Acts but many people don’t follow them.
4. Lack of awareness
Many of the people of India, especially those belonging to poor families are not aware of the consequences of child labor and they happily send their children to work without giving a second thought.
Facts About Child Labor in India
- About 33 million children of age 5-18 years are working in India. This is a serious condition.
- 80% of child laborers come from rural areas. Some of the children work in cities doing various jobs and most of them get trapped into the vicious web of labor.
- 62% of the child laborers work in agriculture, forestry, and the fishing industry.
- Uttar Pradesh has the highest rate of child labor in India. In census 2011, it was more than 6 lacs children.
- The reason for child labor in India is a lack of education and excess poverty.
- RTE only covers children of age 5-14 years. The children from age 15-18 are dropped out of school by parents due to poverty and send their children to work.
- 12th June is the World Day Against Child Labour.
Frequently Asked Question
Q1. There is a tea stall near my house and a small child is working there as a waiter. What should I do?
Ans. You can file a complaint against the tea stall owner. Inform the nearby police station.
Q2. Many a time it is noticed that if people try to stand against child labor, the parents of those children take objections. What to do in this case?
Ans. Parents raise objections because of two reasons- 1. They are very poor and sending a child for work is their compulsion and 2. They are unaware of the consequences of child labor. In this case, we can simply tell their parents about the problems their children can face due to child labor.
Q3. As mentioned, Government has made many laws and acts against child labor in India but still, there is a very high rate of child labor. Why?
Ans. Yes, the Indian Government has made many laws and Acts but the problem is some people violate them. Even after knowing the orders from the government, they keep committing the crime. The reason can be improper implementations of laws.
Q4. What can I do to stand against child labor in my locality?
Ans. It is good if you want to do something for the child laborers. You can talk to their parents and encourage them to send their children to schools. You can warn the owners of the shops providing jobs to small children that you will complain against them.
