“Despite a robust legal and policy framework, child labour continues to persist in India. Critically analyse the causes and consequences of child labour, and discuss the measures needed to tackle the issue.”        (15M)

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), child labour includes work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful to children or interferes with their schooling.

Despite various legal safeguards and government initiatives, 10.1 million children aged 5-14 years (Census 2011) are still engaged in child labour in India, with the situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and growing urban poverty.

Causes of Child Labour:

1. Poverty and Economic Distress:
   1. Poverty is the primary driver; poor families rely on child income for survival. For Example, bonded labour due to family debt in rural areas is still prevalent, particularly in states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
2. Lack of Access to Quality Education:
   1. Over 42.7 million children remain out of school in India.
   1. Poor infrastructure, teacher absenteeism, and unaffordability of education push children toward labour.
3. Informal Economy and Weak Regulation:
   1. Informal sectors like agriculture, domestic work, and handicrafts often remain unregulated.
   1. For example, Beedi-making, carpet weaving, and brick kilns are key industries employing children.
4. Social Norms and Cultural Practices:
   1. Traditional caste-based occupations or family businesses like carpentry or smithy often involve children.
   1. The 2016 Amendment to Child labour Prohibition Act allowing work in “family enterprises” has contributed to this.
5. Illiteracy and Lack of Awareness:
   1. Parents are often unaware of the harmful impacts of child labour and the importance of education.

Consequences of Child Labour:

On Children:

• Health risks: Exposure to toxic substances, physical abuse, and malnutrition.
• Educational loss: Dropout or non-enrollment reduces future employment and income potential.
• Stunted development: Affects mental, emotional, and social development.

On Society:

• Perpetuates intergenerational poverty and increases social inequality.
• Human rights violations, undermining constitutional guarantees under Articles 21A, 24, and 39(e)(f).

On Nation:

• Reduced human capital: Affects future productivity and skilled labour force.
• Economic burden: Increases healthcare and welfare expenditure in the long run.
• Can affect international trade and reputation, as seen in cases where trade deals were stalled due to rights concerns.

Government Measures and Legal Framework:

1. Legislative:
   1. Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 – prohibits employment of children below 14 and adolescents (14–18) in hazardous occupations.
   1. Right to Education Act, 2009 – guarantees free education for 6–14 years.
   1. Juvenile Justice Act, Factories Act, Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act.
2. Schemes and Initiatives:
   1. National Child Labour Project (NCLP): Rehabilitation and mainstreaming of rescued children.
   1. PENCIL Portal: Real-time tracking and reporting mechanism.
   1. Mid-Day Meal Scheme and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for improving school enrollment.
3. Community Models – Velpur Example:
   1. Velpur in Andhra Pradesh showcased successful eradication through:
      1. Panchayat-led community mobilization.
      1. Teacher engagement and dropout tracking.
      1. Bank support in restructuring family loans.
      1. Employer pledges against hiring child labour.

Challenges in Implementation:

• Lack of uniform definition of ‘child’ across laws (e.g., RTE Act vs Juvenile Justice Act).
• Loopholes in the 2016 Amendment permitting work in family businesses.
• Poor law enforcement, corruption, and underreporting due to lack of identity documents.
• Socio-economic shocks like COVID-19 reversed earlier gains.

Way Forward:

1. Legal Reforms and Uniform Definitions:
   1. Amend laws to remove exceptions like family enterprise clauses.
   1. Align age definitions across all child-related legislation.
2. Strengthen Education and Social Protection:
   1. Expand RTE to cover 15–18 age group.
   1. Implement cash transfer schemes for vulnerable families.
3. Decentralized Monitoring Mechanisms:
   1. District-level funds and tracking systems as recommended by the 52nd Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour.
4. Community Engagement and Awareness:
   1. Leverage SHGs, NGOs like Bachpan Bachao Andolan, and gram panchayats for advocacy.
   1. Promote parental literacy and behavioural change.
5. International Collaboration:
   1. Work with ILO, UNICEF, and others for funding, technical assistance, and knowledge-sharing.

Conclusion:

Child labour is not merely a legal issue—it is a socio-economic crisis. Addressing it requires a multidimensional strategy rooted in education, poverty alleviation, law enforcement, and community empowerment. India must adopt a community-driven, rights-based, and inclusive approach to tackle the problem.

‘+1’ Value addition:

• “No social problem is as universal as child labour, and no social injustice is as deep-rooted.” – Kailash Satyarthi
• High-Concentration States: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh together account for nearly 55% of the total working children in India.
• Census 2011 Data: As per Census 2011, there are 10.1 million working children in India, comprising 3.9% of the total child population, classified as either “main workers” or “marginal workers.”
• ILO Convention No. 182: This convention addresses the worst forms of child labour. India ratified it along with Convention No. 138, which focuses on setting the minimum age for employment.

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