Article

Is Child Labour a threat to Indian Society?

Child labour could also be a violation of basic human rights and has been shown to hinder children’s development, probably leading to long physical or psychological injury

Author : Annanya Singhal & Ruuhani Thukral 

Keywords- Child, Labour Rights, Exploitations.

Abstract

“I can’t think of any issue that is more important than working and seeing that no child in this world is engaged in labour work and goes hungry”

It is marked very beautifully that when the child has no trust, a nation has no future. But whom exactly do we call the child? Any idea?

As per the different implication’s child is defined as the universe. It is like if there were no children then there won’t be any civilization and there cannot be a universe without humanity. Therefore, “Mankind owes to the child the best that it has to be given”.

Introduction

As per the kid Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 “Child” as outlined may be one that has not completed the age of fourteen years. A child of such tender age is predicted to play, study and be carefree concerning his life. However, as a reality of nature, expectations hardly meet reality. Children by can or by force area unit utilized to figure within the harsh conditions and atmosphere that becomes a threat to their life. Child labour ends up in underdevelopment, incomplete maybe the mental and physical development, that successively leads to feebleminded growth of kids.

Child labour could also be a violation of basic human rights and has been shown to hinder children’s development, probably leading to long physical or psychological injury

Recent International Labour Organization studies have shown that the elimination of child labour in transition and developing economies might generate economic edges bigger than the prices, that area unit principally related to investment in higher schooling and social services. The elemental ILO standards on kid labour area unit the two legal pillars of world action to combat child labour.

According to information from Census 2011, the quantity of child labourers in the Asian nation is 10.1 million of those 5.6 million area unit boys and 4.5 million area unit ladies. a complete of 152 million youngsters – 64 million girls and 88 million boys – are calculable to be in child labour globally, accounting for pretty much one in ten of all youngsters worldwide.

Despite rates of child labour declining over the previous few years, the children area units still getting used to some severe sorts of kid labour like guaranteed labour, kid troopers, and trafficking. Across Asian nations kid labourers will be found in a various form of industries: in brick kilns, carpet weaving, garment-creating, domestic service, food and refreshment services (such as tea stalls), agriculture, fisheries, and mining. 

Children also are in danger of varied alternative sorts of exploitation as well as sexual exploitation and production of kid erotica, as well as online. Child labour and exploitation are the results of several factors, as well as impoverishment, social norms condoning them, lack of tight work opportunities for adults and adolescents, migration, and emergencies. These factors aren’t solely the cause however additionally a consequence of social inequities strengthened by discrimination.

Children belong in schools, not workplaces. Child labour is a practice where the right of the child to receive an education is deprived. child labour acts as a significant barrier to education, poignant each attending and performance at school.

The continued persistence of kid labour and exploitation poses a threat to national economies and has severe negative short and semi-permanent consequences for youngsters like denial of education and undermining physical and mental state. Child trafficking is additionally coupled to kid labour and it continually leads to ill-usage. Trafficked kids face all sorts of abuse-physical, mental, sexual, and emotional. ted into armed teams. Statistics involving the child labour issue in India: 

SIDE-EFFECTS OF ENGAGING IN CHILD LABOUR AT YOUNG AGE

1. Risks of catching activity diseases like skin diseases, diseases of the lungs, weak seeing, TB, etc.
2. The danger of being sexually exploited at workplaces 
3. Deprived of education.
4. They become older unable to avail development opportunities and find themselves as unskilled employees for the remainder of their lives.
   

Among the occupations whereby children are engaged in work are construction work, domestic work, and small-scale industries. Incidentally, agriculture isn’t solely the oldest however additionally the foremost common kid occupation worldwide. a number of the industries that rely on child labour are bangle-making, bidi-making, power looms, and producing processes.

These industries use ototoxic metals and substances like lead, mercury, manganese, chromium, cadmium, benzene, pesticides, and amphibole. child labour is incredibly harmful and sincere efforts to eliminate this could be done. 

CHILD LABOUR: CONSTITUTIONAL & LEGAL PROVISIONS

• According to Article 23 of the Indian Constitution, any variety of forced labour is prohibited.
• Article 24 states that a child underneath fourteen years cannot be utilized to perform any risky work.
• Article 39 states that “the health and strength of employees, men, and women, and therefore the tender age of kids aren’t abused”.
• Similarly, the kid Labour Act (Prohibition and Regulation) 1986 prohibits children under the age of fourteen years to be operating in dangerous industries and processes.
• Policy interventions like MGNREGA 2005, the proper to Education Act 2009, and therefore the middle Day Meal theme have sealed the means for youngsters to be in colleges in conjunction with secure wage employment (unskilled) for rural families.
  Further, with the agreement International Labour Organization Conventions Nos. 138 and 182 in 2017, the Indian government has incontestable its commitment to the elimination of kid labour as well as those engaged in unsafe occupations. 
• The Factories Act, 1948 The Factories Act expressly prohibited child Labour underneath its vital provision. this is often nothing however protection is given to the child employees against exploitation.
  
• The Plantation Labour Act, 1951 the employment of kids between the ages of twelve years is prohibited underneath the Act. However, the act permits the use of kids on top of twelve years solely on a fitness certificate from the appointed doc.
• 
  The Mines Act, 1952 states that no child shall use in any mines nor shall any child be allowed to be a gift in any part of mine, that is below ground, or in any open solid operating during which any mining operations being carried on.
  
• The merchant shipping Act, 1958, the act prohibits employment of kids below the age of fourteen in a very ship except for a ship, home ship, or a ship wherever alternative relations work. It additionally prohibits the employment of young persons below the age of eighteen as trimmers and stokers except underneath bound specific conditions.

•  The children Act, 1960 is additionally necessary legislation that prohibits the employment of kids for solicitation and exploitation of kid workers. 

• The Apprentices Act, 1961 states that nobody shall be qualified for being engaged as an apprentice to endure post-coaching in any selected trade unless he’s fourteen years elderly and glad such standards of education and good condition as could also be prescribed.
  

However, having of these mechanisms millions of children engaged in risky institutions. The Socio-Economic scenario forced youngsters to try to work to sustain their families. what is a more negligent perspective of parents towards education is additionally one among the causes behind drawback of kid Labour.

JUDICIAL RESPONSE WITHIN THE CASE OF CHILD LABOUR

1. In M. C. Mehta v. Union of India; it was held by SC while interpreting Article held that right to receive education till they complete fourteen years.  Elderly is associate degree integral with the right to life and private liberty.

2. In B.P.U.D.R. Vs. Union of India; it was held Supreme Court directed the government to amend the schedule of the use of children Act, 1938. Further Court held that construction work is an unsafe occupation.

3. In C. shrub Hydro Project Vs. State of J & K; it was held child Labour may be tough drawback and it’s strictly on account of economic drawback; and it cannot be solved by mere legislation. So long impoverishment continues the matter of child Labour demolition isn’t possible.

4. In, D. Bandhua Mukti Morcha Vs. Union of India; Supreme Court held that children nowadays ought to be developed to be accountable and productive; and children ought to be assured social and physical health.
   Associated problems with child Labour.

FUNCTIONING OF MEDIA

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD LABOUR?

• Cause & Effect Relationship: Child labour and exploitation are the results of many factors, including poverty, social norms condoning them, lack of decent work opportunities for adults and adolescents, migration, and emergencies.

• Threat to National Economy: The continuing persistence of child labour and exploitation poses a threat to national economies. Has severe negative short and long-term consequences for children such as denial of education and undermining physical and mental health.
• 
  Disguised Child Labour: Despite rates of child labour declining over the last few years. Children are still being used in disguised forms of child labour like domestic help.
  
• Child Labour in Informal Sector: Though child labour is banned in the law. Across India child labourers can be found in a variety of informal industries like brick kilns, carpet weaving, garment making, agriculture, fisheries, etc.

• Linkage with Child Trafficking: Child trafficking is also linked to child labour and it always results in child abuse. Trafficked children are subjected to prostitution, forced into marriage, or illegally adopted; they provide cheap or unpaid labour, are forced to work as house servants or beggars; and maybe recruited into armed groups.

WHAT CAN BE THE WAY FORWARD?

1. In the major social problem, the author thinks that panchayat can play a very important role. As nearly 80% of child labour in India emanates from rural areas. The Panchayat can play a dominant role in mitigating child labour. In this context, panchayat should generate awareness about the ill-effects of child labour. They can also encourage parents to send their children to schools. They can create an environment where children stop working and get enrolled in schools. It can also activate Balwadis and Aanganwadis in the village; so that working mothers do not leave the responsibility of younger children on their siblings. 
2. An integrated approach in this social issue can help in eradicating the problem and strengthen the institutions working against child labour.
3. Treating Children as Active Stakeholders: Children have the power to play a significant role in preventing child labour.

SUGGESTIONS

1. Strict implementation of Child Labour legislation, practical and healthy alternatives to replace this evil can go a long way to solve the problem of Child Labour.

2. Application of Compulsory Education policy to curb the problem of Child Labour.

3. Organization of literacy and awareness programs to prevent children from employment.

4. Control on Population growth to eliminate Poverty which is the basic cause of Child Labour issues.

5. Mandatory on industrialists for equal pay without discrimination as to Age, Status, Religion, etc.

6. Adequate health services for children at large living in the society.

7. Need to provide training and education to the child workers during their free time.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it can be said that the problem of child exploitation is still a burning issue in India. The disease is spreading day by day to tackle the problem we have to find the proper and effective mechanism. The government of India should form a separate mechanism for the effective implementation of Education policy in India. The Education Policy of the Government in existence is not satisfactory, not capable of fulfilling their economic needs. The negligent behaviour of parents indulges children into work which is one of the risks to their socio-economic status. Various organizations in the area of Child Labour, child right violation, child abuse are taking efforts to protect and eradicate. The Parents of the children shall be aware that temporary gain is not helpful to their family. The efforts shall be taken from the Government, NGOs in area of small family norms, compulsory education, and so on. The problem of Child Labour can be eradicated if there are joint efforts taken by Governmental agencies and NGOs actively.

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