CHILD LABOUR

Child labour is defined as 'Involvement of children (lt;14 years) in gainful or non-gainful employment, under conditions detrimental/potentially detrimental to their health or physical, mental or emotional development, depriving them their fundamental rights and meaningful education/training opportunities'.

Magnitude: India fosters the largest number of child labourers in the world, involving ~20 million children in 5-15 years age group. According to an estimate, 15% of Indian children qualify the definition of child labourer, of whom ~ 1/3^rd are engaged in full-time economic activity. Others usually work as part-time or casual labourers.

Types: Child labor may be broadly divided into five groups: (a) domestic workers, (b) agriculture labourers, (c) industrial laborers specially in unorganized sector as unskilled workers or apprentices, (d) commercial establishment laborers, e.g. in restaurants, (e) self­employed workers, e.g. rag-picking, shoe-shining and (f) bagging. Bonded labor is the worst kind of child labor practice in India, specially in agriculture and domestic sector.

Determinants: Child labor is a consequence of many inter-related social evils, the most important being poverty and illiteracy (Table 28.11).

Consequences: Involvement in labor from a very young age not only prevents the achievement of full growth/ developmental potential but also has dire consequences on physical, emotional and social well-being of the child.

TABLE 28.11: Determinants of child labor in India Some important consequences of child-labour are as follows:

• Physical: Malnutrition, communicable diseases, etc.

• Occupational: Accidents, poisonings, abuse, etc.

• Emotional: Juvenile delinquency, drug abuse

• Social discrimination/deprivation of fundamental rights

• Educational lack of opportunities

Prevention: According to International labor organization convention 1973, minimum work-age for most sectors has been established as 15 years, though light work is permitted from 13 years onwards, provided that it does not interfere with child's health, morals, safety and educational objectives.

Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 in India prohibits employment of children in most specified and unspecified occupations, except the family-based work and recognized school-based activities. However, these statutory provisions are difficult to implement, unless root causes, e.g. poverty, adult unemployment and illiteracy are eliminated. Currently, it is more prudent to regulate the working conditions of these children in permitted sectors and protect them from health hazards, exploitation and abuse.

Indian Constitution protects a child from y hazardous employment till 14 years (Article 21A) and guarantees the right to free and compulsory elementary education from 6-14 years [article 24(a)].

28.4.3