World Day Against Child Labour

In Context

• Every year World Day Against Child Labour was observed on 12th June. 
  • The day focuses on “what needs to be done to eliminate Child Labour”.

About the Day

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. 
• The day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them.

Child Labour

• As defined by The International Labour Organization (ILO), “child labour” is defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. It refers to work that: is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children; and/or.

Status of Child Labour in India

• Developing countries like India contribute maximum towards child labour. 
• According to UNICEF, child Labour amounts to approximately 13% of our workforce, or in other words, 1 in every 10 workers in India is a child.
• In India, children from unfortunate sections are forced to be involved in the manufacturing of firecrackers, bangle-making industry, roadside eateries and restaurants, construction sites or even house help.
• A recent study titled “Child Artists in India”, by a non-governmental organisation suggests that a child below the age of 15 in the entertainment industry in India, works for more than 12 hours a day.
• Children in poor and disadvantaged households in India are now at a greater risk of negative coping mechanisms such as dropping out of school and being forced into labour, marriage and even falling victim to trafficking.

Constitutional and other measures on Child Labour in India

• Indian Constitution:
  • Article 21 A (Right to Education): The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 to 14 years in such manner as the State, by law, may determine.
  • Article 23: Any type of forced labour is prohibited. 
  • Article 24: It states that a child under 14 years cannot be employed to perform any hazardous work in any factory or mine.
  • Article 39: It states that “the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused”. 
• Child Labour Act (Prohibition and Regulation) 1986: 
  • It prohibits children under the age of 14 years to be working in hazardous industries and processes.
• National Policy on Child Labour, 1987: 
  • It contains the action plan for tackling the problem of child labour. 
• National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme: 
  • The government initiated it in 1988 to rehabilitate working children in 12 child labour endemic districts of the country and expanded with time. 
  • This is the major Central Sector Scheme for the rehabilitation of child labour.
• The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (CALPRA):

• CALPRA states that no child shall be allowed to work for more than five hours in a day, and for not more than three hours without rest. 
• The provisions of CALPRA also state, that at least 20% of the income earned by the child from the production or event is to be directly deposited in a fixed deposit account in a nationalised bank in the name of the child which may be credited to her/him on attaining majority. 

• Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour (PENCIL):
  • It is an electronic platform that aims at involving Centre, State, District, Governments, civil society and the general public in achieving the target of child labour free society.

International Efforts

• The United Nations made 2021 the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour, calling for urgent action needed to meet a goal of ending the practice by 2025.
• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by world leaders in 2015, include a renewed global commitment to ending child labour. 
  • Specifically, target 8.7 of the SDGs.
• ALLIANCE 8.7
  • It is an inclusive global partnership committed to achieving Target 8.7 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • It works for eradicating forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour around the world.
  • The International Labour Organization (ILO) currently serves as Secretariat for Alliance 8.7.

Way ahead

• Laws and Regulations: 
  • Ensuring that necessary laws and regulations are in place to protect children, backed by enforcement machinery and child protection systems.
  • Adhering to Child Labour Act (Prohibition and Regulation) & The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (CALPRA) guidelines and its strict implementation.
• Good-quality Schooling: 
  • Ensuring free and good-quality schooling at least up to the minimum age for entering employment to provide a viable alternative to child labour and afford children a chance at a better future. 
• Eliminate Discrimination: 
  • Addressing gender norms and discrimination that increase child labour risks, particularly for girls, related to domestic work and unpaid household chores. 
• Guardians Responsibility:
  • It is the responsibility of guardians to ensure the basic education of the children irrespective of the employment of the child artists.
• Responsibility of media Houses:
  • Ensuring if the child artist is getting enough rest and time to study amidst the work shifts.
  • Ensuring that the families of child artists are depositing 20% of the child’s income in fixed deposit.
• Promoting Decent Work: 
  • It would deliver a fair income for people (of legal working age) and adults, with a particular emphasis on workers in the informal economy, in order for families to escape poverty-driven child labour.

Source: TH