Children are the future of a nation and are the mirror of
its development. Their shrivelled face reflects the degradation of the country,
whereas their blooming face shows the advancement and development.Since ancient times, taking care of them has
been the sole responsibility of the society. In human life, childhood is the
stage when they need love, affection, trust, responsibility, acceptability and
safety. Individuals, who have had a secure, respectful and reciprocal
childhood, are generally found to be balanced in terms of personality and
future; and they contribute to the well-being of the society. But, it is
poignant that a large section of children have to spend their childhood in
miserable conditions. Unfortunately, children who should contribute to the
progress of the nation as engineers, doctors, scientists, officers,
journalists, businessmen, or progressive farmers, are engaged as child labourer
for their family’s livelihood.
A child is meant to learn and not to earn. Chronic poverty,
high population growth, lack of interest in education, migration, natural
disaster, increasing landlessness, rising unemployment etc., are the underlying
reasons behind child labour. These children come from families with no other
means other than human work-force. India has not come out of poverty even after
73 years of independence. The economic as well as population policies of
(successive) governments have failed and a large section of the masses is
bereft of even basic amenities.
The problem of child labour has always been neglected at the
national level. Although this problem has its presence in all ages, in ancient
times, children engaged themselves in agriculture or other family occupations.
After industrialisation, the concept of child labour also transformed. Children
became an independent entity and they have to join the workplace without
protection of the guardian and handle problems on their own.
Child labour has been gradually promoted by industrialists,
factory owners, hoteliers, and landlord farmers, as children work for undefined
hours at minimal wages. The mentality of “More hand more work” of the working
family has made the situation worse. Such children are deprived of inclusive
social security in respect of education and all-round development, and their
whole childhood is spent for earning wages. Instead of books or notebooks in
their hands, they use sickle, fade or other equipments.
The problem of child labour can be found in every corner of
the world. India, Brazil, Haiti, Kenya, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and
Bangladesh are the most affected countries. UNICEF 2020 report reveals that
approximately 16 crore children are engaged in child labour globally, half of
whom are in the Asian sub-continent. Globally, an additional 9 million children
are at risk of being pushed into child labour by the end of 2022 as a result of
the pandemic COVID 19.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors account for 70% of
children as child labourers, followed by 20% in service and 10% in industry.
Child labour in rural areas stands at 14% against 5% in urban areas. Child
labour is more prevalent among boys, but when household chores are taken into
account, the gender gap narrows.
Several industries in India are fully reliant on child
labour. Kalin industry in Kashmir, Glass industry in Firozabad, Cracker and
matchbox industry in Shivkashi (Tamilnadu), Slate industry in Mandsaur (MP),
Leather industry in Kanpur and Agra, Diamond polish industry in Rajasthan and
Gujarat, Lock industry of Aligarh, Hosiery, Bidi, fishery, etc. have their
existence on the cheap wages of child labour. Most of the dhabas and hotels in
the country are flourishing due to 15-16 hour working of child labour.
Involvement of child labour in hazardous activities leads to
numerous health and psychological problems such as chest and abdominal pain,
skin infections, eye or ear problem, headache, physical tardiness, respiratory
infections. Due to lack of proper guardianship and care, such children are
often exposed to theft, violence, criminal activities, physical and sexual
abuse, drugs and other immoral activities.
The problem of child labour has been tackled through
protective legislations both at the national and international level. The
government has enacted the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986,
prohibiting the engagement of children in certain employments and to regulate
the conditions of work in certain employments. The Supreme Court in its
judgement on 10th December 1996, declared child labour illegal. Article 24 of
the Constitution prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years
in any hazardous industry or factory or mines. Article 39 provides for
protection of children against exploitation and moral and material abandonment.
Article 45 of the Constitution deals with the provision of free and compulsory
education for children below 14 years and for this, the “Right to Free and
Compulsory Education Act 2009” was implemented in 2010. The Factories Act 1948,
The Plantation Labour Act 1951,MotorTransport Workers Act 1961,
The Contract Labour Act 1970, and Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976,
have been promulgated.
The words “child” and “labour” together signify a
disconcerting and negative narrative. But the prevailing socio-economic
conditions do not permit to root out child labour overnight. A hungry person
cannot be expected to listen to valuable advice unless he fills his stomach
first. In 1987, National Policy on Child Labour was framed for education,
health, entertainment, and other development works for their well-being, but it
needs to be reshaped and kept free from bureaucratic red-tapeism.
Child labour has been a burning issue all over the world. It
cannot be eradicated without the joint collaboration of society, family and
administration. It is a social crime as every child has the right to shine. In
today’s scientific age, although we have reached the Moon and the Mars, world
has come closer due to globalisation, the groundreality is that without rooting out child
labour, no nation can become a “Swasth, Sashakt and Samriddh Rashtra”.
