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Child Labour – India’s Hidden Shame

From Current Affairs Notes for UPSC » Editorials & In-depths » This topic

One of the most unfortunate consequences of the pandemic and its wide range of restrictions has been the higher vulnerability of children to different forms of abuse and deprivation. Moreover, the second wave of COVID-19 has left several children without both or one of their parents. This situation exposed them to hopelessness, financial hardships and increased risk of child labour, exploitation, and trafficking.

Who is a child?

Child and Adolescent Labour (prohibition and regulation) Act 1986 defines the child as a person who has not completed the age of 14 years.

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What is Child Labour?

• Child Labour as defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is a work that takes away children their childhood, their potential and their dignity which is harmful to their physical as well as mental development.
• ILO also explains child labour in its most extreme forms involves children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards and illnesses and/or left to fend for themselves on the streets of large cities — often at a very early age.
• But Children or adolescents who involve in works that do not impact their health and personal development or affect their schooling is not child labour. For instance, helping their parents at home, helping family or earning pocket money outside school hours and on holidays.

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How children are exploited for Labour in India?

Instead of being in school or at play or other constructive activities, they are put to work on a range of activities that span repetitive low-skill work that doesn’t aid development for future employment opportunities, they are forced to be exposed to conditions devastating to health and safety in the agriculture, industry and service sectors.

The work involves long hours on a bewildering range of tasks such as transferring pollen in cotton plants, picking the crop with their bare hands, indentured on tea or tobacco plantations and brick making factories and construction sites; being sent down dangerous mines for extracting gold and diamonds, or confined to cramped workshops for cutting and polishing gemstones; working at slaughterhouses and tanneries with minimal protection or under life-threatening conditions at fireworks factories.

Children are very commonly employed in the murky underbelly of the fashion industry in yarn and spinning mills, and garment factory sweatshops, put to work from handling silkworms in scalding water to doing painstaking embellishment work. They are on the streets picking rags – carrying an entire recycling industry on their shoulders, or in homes doing domestic work either as employees of others or in the case of girls in their own homes where they are treated as free labour and not considered as deserving of education as their brothers.

The worst of all is the human trafficking situations of modern-day slavery that children are thrown into, facing horrific abuse and lifelong trauma as bonded labourers or sold into sexual exploitation . Alongside the physical implications of this work, can we even begin to imagine the mental health consequences for these children and adolescents forced into labour?

What is the statistics of child labour in India?

According to the 2011 census,

• there were more than 10.2 million children in the age group of 5-14 working as child labourers.
• Child labour has increased rapidly in urban areas and declined in rural areas.
• The overall decrease in child labour is only 2.2% per year from 2001-2011.
• India’s biggest child labour employers are – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

What is the nature of child labour in India?

Change in work location: There has been high involvement of children in home-based works and in the informal sector.

Rural-Urban areas:

• In urban areas, a huge number of children are involved in manual domestic work, rag picking, restaurants, motor repair shops, etc.
• Agriculture including cotton growing,
• Matchbox industries,
• Brass, and lock-making factories,
• Embroidery,
• Rag-picking,
• Beedi-rolling,
• Carpet-making industry,
• Mining and stone quarrying,
• Brick kilns,
• Tea gardens etc.

Gender specific: The division of labour is gender-specific with girls being engaged in more domestic and home-based work, and boys working as wage labourers.

Bonded Child labour: refers to the employment of a person against a loan, debt or social obligation by the family of the child or family as a whole. Bonded child labourers are mostly found in the agriculture sector or helping their families in brick kilns, and stone quarries. There are around 10 million bonded child labourers in India.

Migrant Children: Children who are migrating to other locations with family are often forced to drop-out schools and unavoidably put to work at work-sites.

What are the causes of Child Labour in India?

Poverty and Indebtedness:

• Poverty is the greatest cause of child labour. For impoverished households, income from a child’s work is generally important for his or her own survival or for that of the household.
• Children are also bonded to labour because of the family indebtedness.
• Rural poverty and urban migration often expose children to being trafficked for work.

Adult unemployment and under-employment : high prevalence of adult unemployment and under-employment often force children to work to support the family.

Illiteracy and Ignorance of parents:  Illiteracy of the child’s parents further worsens the crisis. Illiteracy and Lack of awareness of the harmful consequences of child labour make them violate the law and put their children under the risk of inhuman exploitation.

Lack of access to basic and meaningful quality education and skills training:

• The current educational infrastructure is highly unsuitable to children of economically deprived families.
• Furthermore, the deteriorating quality of education has resulted in increasing dropout rates and forced children to engage in work.
• Compulsory education (RTE) does not cover the 15-18 age group (adolescents). However, being illiterate or school dropouts, these children are vulnerable and most exploited for the informal, unskilled and casual workforce.

Demand for child labour :

• Rising demand for child labour particularly in urban areas is an important cause for the prevalence and increase in child labour.
• Children are employed as they are cheap and flexible with respect to the demands of the employer and not aware of their rights.

Cultural factors:

• An expectation that children should contribute to the socio-economic survival of the family and community, as well as the existence of large families,  contribute to the prevalence of child labour.
• Children mostly take up family’s traditional work from an early age. For instance, a Goldsmith’s son takes to gold-smithery, or a carpenter’s child takes up carpentry from an early age.

Social factors:  There is a strong correlation between India’s differentiated social structure and child labour. The majority of child labourers in India belong to the so called lower castes (SCs), the tribal and Muslim religious minority.

What are the impacts of child labour?

• Affect childhood: Child labour takes away a child of his/her childhood. It not only denies his/her right to education but also right to leisure.
• Affect adult life: Child labour prevents children from gaining the skills and education they require to have opportunities for decent work when they become an adult.
• Major health and physical risks: as they work long hours and are needed to do tasks for which they are physically and mentally unprepared. Working in hazardous situations adversely impacts a child’s physical and mental health and affects intellectual, emotional and psychological development.
• Poverty: Child labour is both a cause and consequence of poverty. Household poverty makes children enter the labour market to earn money = they miss out on an opportunity to get an education = further continuing household poverty across generations in a vicious cycle.

• Affect country as a whole: Existence of a large number of child labourers has long term effect on the economy and it is a serious obstacle to the socio-economic welfare of the country.

What are the International Safeguards against Child Labour?

International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions:

• The two Core Conventions directly related to child labour are that of ILO Convention 138 (Minimum age convention) and 182 (Worst forms of Child Labour Convention).
• India has ratified both the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions.

Declaration of Rights of Child, 1959:

• Universal declaration of human rights 1948 –  mentions (under article 25) that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance.
• The above principles along with other principles of a universal declaration concerning child were incorporated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, 1959.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989

It sets out different rights of children- civil, political, economic, cultural, social and health. Article 32 states that the government should protect children from work that is dangerous or might harm their health or their education.

What are the measures taken by India?

Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 

Based on the recommendations of the Gurupadaswammy Committee (1979), the Act was passed in 1986. It has the following objectives:

• to prohibit the engagement of children in some employment.
• and to regulate the conditions of work of children in certain other employment.

Salient features:

• The Act prohibits children from working in any occupation listed in Part A of the Schedule; for example: Catering at railway establishments, construction work on the railway or anywhere near the tracks, plastics factories, automobile garages, etc.
• The act also prohibits children from working in places where certain processes are being undertaken, as listed in Part B of the Schedule; for example beedi making, tanning, soap manufacture, brick kilns, and roof tiles units, etc.
• Part III of the act outlines the conditions in which children may work in occupations/processes not listed in the schedule.
• Any person who employs any child in contravention of the provisions of section 3 of the Act is liable for punishment with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 3 months but which may extend to one year or fine.

Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016

• The Amendment Act completely prohibits the employment of children below 14 years.
• The amendment also prohibits the employment of adolescents in the age group of 14 to 18 years in hazardous occupations and processes and regulates their working conditions where they are not prohibited.
• The amendment also provides stricter punishment for employers for violation of the Act and making the offence of employing any child or adolescent in contravention of the Act by an employer as cognizable.

Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2017

• The rules provide a broad and specific framework for prevention, prohibition, rescue, and rehabilitation of child and adolescent workers.
• It also clarifies on issues related to helping in family and family enterprises and definition of family with respect to the child.
• It states that the child shall not perform any tasks during school hours and between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m.
• It also provides for safeguards of artists which have been permitted to work under the Act, in terms of hours of work and working conditions.
• It states that no child shall be allowed to work for more than 5 times a day, and for not more than 3 hours without rest.

National Policy on Child Labour (1987)

• It contains the action plan for tackling the problem of Child Labour.
• It focuses more on the rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and processes, rather than on prevention.
• The policy consists of three main attributes:
• Legal Action plan –Emphasis will be laid on strict and effective enforcement of legal provisions relating to a child under various Labour laws.
• Focusing on general development programmes- Utilisation of various on-going development programmes of other Ministries/Departments for the benefit of Child Labour wherever possible.
• Project-based plan of Action – Launching of projects for the welfare of working child in areas of high concentration of child labour.

National Child Labour Project Scheme

• For rehabilitation of child labour, the Government had initiated the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme.
• The NCLP Scheme seeks:
• To eliminate all forms of child labour through identification and withdrawal children from child labour and preparing them for mainstream education along with vocational training
• To contribute to the withdrawal of all adolescent workers from Hazardous Occupations / Processes and their skilling and integration in suitable occupations.
• Creation of a Child Labour Monitoring, Tracking and Reporting System.

Pencil:  The government has launched a dedicated platform viz. pencil.gov.in to ensure effective enforcement of child labour laws and end child labour.

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 and Amendment of the Act in 2006

• It includes the working child in the category of children in need of care and protection, without any limitation of age or type of occupation.
• Section 23 (cruelty to Juvenile) and Section 26 (exploitation of juvenile employee) specifically deal with child labour under children in need of care and protection.

The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act (2009):  The Act made it mandatory for the state to ensure that all children aged six to 14 years are in school and receive free education.

Many NGOs like Bachpan Bachao Andolan, ChildFund, CARE India, Talaash Association, Child Rights and You, Global march against child labour, RIDE India, Child line, Kailash Satyarthi Children Foundation etc. have been working to eradicate child labour in India.

What are the Challenges in reducing child labour in India?

Issues with Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016:

• The list of hazardous industries has been drastically decreased, this may allow the employers in industries like chemical mixing units, cotton farms, battery recycling units, and brick kilns, etc. to employ adolescent labour, which they may even get at a much cheaper price.
• Further, the amendment allows a child to be employed in “family or family enterprises”.This raises a question over a large number of child labour in agrarian rural India where poor families are trapped in intergenerational debt-bondage.

Definitional issue:  One of the biggest challenges in eradicating child labour is the confusion around the definition of a child, in terms of age, in various laws dealing with child labour.

Lack of identification:  Age identification of children is a difficult task in India due to the lack of identification documents. Child labourers often lack school registration certificates and birth certificates, creating an easy loophole in the law to exploit. Most often the children of migrant workers working as labourers and those employed in domestic work go unreported.

Weak enforcement of law and poor governance: Weak enforcement of the law, lack of adequate deterrence and corruption is a major hurdle in eradicating child labour.

What is the way forward?

• Child labour is a vicious circle of poverty, unemployment, underemployment, and low wages. There should be a concerted effort towards social protection programmes and cash transfers to improve the economic situation of families and to reduce the “need” to send children to work.
• There is an urgent need to revamp educational infrastructure- to ensure access to educational institutions, improvement in quality and relevance of education
• There is a need to bring uniformity in existing Indian laws dealing with child labour. The laws must expand the definition of a child by prohibiting the employment of and ensuring free and compulsory education (RTE, Act, 2009) for children below 18 years
• There is a need to launch a national campaign to invoke public interest and large-scale awareness on the exploitation of children and the menace of child labour.
• The government should take adequate measures to raise awareness among families and communities. Parental literacy can play an important role in ensuring the rights of children are upheld.
• Elimination of child labour demands commitment from the society e.g. family, state, civil society and those who employ children in any enterprises.

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Essay on Child Labour for Students and Children

500+ words essay on child labour.

Child labour is a term you might have heard about in news or movies. It refers to a crime where children are forced to work from a very early age. It is like expecting kids to perform responsibilities like working and fending for themselves. There are certain policies which have put restrictions and limitations on children working.

The average age for a child to be appropriate to work is considered fifteen years and more. Children falling below this age limit won’t be allowed to indulge in any type of work forcefully. Why is that so? Because child labour takes away the kids opportunity of having a normal childhood, a proper education , and physical and mental well-being. In some countries, it is illegal but still, it’s a far way from being completely eradicated.

Causes of Child Labour

Child Labour happens due to a number of reasons. While some of the reasons may be common in some countries, there are some reasons which are specific in particular areas and regions. When we look at what is causing child labour, we will be able to fight it better.

Firstly, it happens in countries that have a lot of poverty and unemployment . When the families won’t have enough earning, they put the children of the family to work so they can have enough money to survive. Similarly, if the adults of the family are unemployed, the younger ones have to work in their place.

Moreover, when people do not have access to the education they will ultimately put their children to work. The uneducated only care about a short term result which is why they put children to work so they can survive their present.

Furthermore, the money-saving attitude of various industries is a major cause of child labour. They hire children because they pay them lesser for the same work as an adult. As children work more than adults and also at fewer wages, they prefer children. They can easily influence and manipulate them. They only see their profit and this is why they engage children in factories.

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Eradication of Child Labour

If we wish to eradicate child labour, we need to formulate some very effective solutions which will save our children. It will also enhance the future of any country dealing with these social issues . To begin with, one can create a number of unions that solely work to prevent child labour. It should help the children indulging in this work and punishing those who make them do it.

Furthermore, we need to keep the parents in the loop so as to teach them the importance of education. If we make education free and the people aware, we will be able to educate more and more children who won’t have to do child labour. Moreover, making people aware of the harmful consequences of child labour is a must.

In addition, family control measures must also be taken. This will reduce the family’s burden so when you have lesser mouths to feed, the parents will be enough to work for them, instead of the children. In fact, every family must be promised a minimum income by the government to survive.

In short, the government and people must come together. Employment opportunities must be given to people in abundance so they can earn their livelihood instead of putting their kids to work. The children are the future of our country; we cannot expect them to maintain the economic conditions of their families instead of having a normal childhood.

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [{ “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What causes child labour?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Child Labour is caused by many factors. The most important one is poverty and illiteracy. When people barely make ends meet, they put their children to work so they can have food two times a day.”} }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “How can we prevent child labour?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”:”Strict measures can prevent child labour. Unions should be made to monitor the activities of child labour. Education must be made free to enroll more and more kids in school. We must also abolish child trafficking completely to save the children.”} }] }

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• School Education /

Essay on Child Labour in 1000 Words for Students

• Updated on  
• May 21, 2024

Essay on Child Labour: A study called ‘ Campaign Against Child Labour ‘ revealed that around 12.67 million child labourers exist in India. Child labour refers to the forceful employment of children at shops, domestic and hazardous places like factories and mines. Child labour exploits children for their basic childhood rights and affects their physical and mental growth. According to the International Labour Organization, the minimum age to work is 15 years. However, some countries have set the minimum working age at 14 years.

In India, the Ministry of Labour & Employment is responsible for protecting children’s rights. The Ministry launched the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) scheme for the rehabilitation of child labourers.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Poverty and Unemployment
• 1.2 Lack of Access to Education
• 1.3 Lack of Enforcement Laws
• 1.4 Debt Bondage
• 1.5 Ignorance and Lack of Awareness
• 2.1 Education Deprivation
• 2.2 Impact on Physical Health
• 2.3 Impact on Mental and Emotional Health
• 2.4 Cycle of Poverty
• 3 What is the Global Perspective?
• 4 Child Labour in India
• 5 5 Steps to Eradicate Child Labour
• 6 10 Lines to Add in Child Labour Essay

5 Major Child Labour Causes

Poverty, unemployment, lack of access to quality education, lack of awareness, etc are some of the common causes of child labour. Understanding all the causes of child labour is very important to eradicating its practice.

Poverty and Unemployment

Poverty and unemployment are the primary causes of child labour. Families living in extreme poverty force their children to work and meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare. On top of this, employees take advantage of their poverty and pay them low wages.

Lack of Access to Education

Children belonging to poor families have limited access to education due to inadequate infrastructure, insufficient resources and social discrimination. Due to this reason, children who are supposed to go to school are pushed towards labour instead of attending school.

“The Best Way to Make Children Good is to Make Them Happy” – Oscar Wilde

Lack of Enforcement Laws

A lot of countries do not have strict laws against child labour. Unethical employers are not afraid because the laws against child labour are not strict. Child labour is persistent because employees do not fear the law. In some cases, insufficient coordination among government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations leads to gaps in the enforcement of child labour laws.

Debt Bondage

Debt bondage or bonded labour is a type of child labour where individuals are forced to work to repay a debt or a family loan. These impoverished people have no other option but to work as bonded labourers in domestic places. 

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Ignorance and Lack of Awareness

The lack of awareness becomes an important cause of child labour, as these people have no idea about the long-term consequences of child labour. 

Impacts on Children

Child labour can have serious impacts on a child’s physical and mental growth. However, the impacts of child labour are not limited to children only. 

Education Deprivation

Child labour deprives children of their right to education. In India, the Right to Education is a basic Fundamental Right and is also a Fundamental Duty. The Indian Constitution says that any person, who is a parent or a guardian, must provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the ages of six and fourteen years.

Also Read: Child Labour Speech

Impact on Physical Health

Children who consistently work in dangerous or tough conditions sometimes get hurt, and sick, and can face long-term health issues. Children working in factories and mines are exposed to harmful chemicals, pollutants and dust. Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory problems, skin disorders, and other health issues.

Impact on Mental and Emotional Health

Working for long hours in hazardous conditions is a deadly combination. These conditions can contribute to high levels of stress and anxiety, affecting the mental well-being of children. In addition to this, these children are denied the right to education, which limits their cognitive development and prospects.

Cycle of Poverty

Children are supposed to go to school and study, not work in factories or as domestic helpers. Child labour perpetuates the cycle of poverty. The cycle of poverty can only end if child labour ends. 

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What is the Global Perspective?

According to UNICEF, 1 out of 10 children are subjected to child labour worldwide and some are forced into hazardous work through trafficking. Child labour is a complex issue with its regional challenges. In 2020, around 16 crore children in the world were subjected to child labour. 

International organisations like the ILO, UNICEF, etc. are constantly fighting against children. They collaborate with global governments, NGOs, and private organisations and discuss the root causes of child labour, such as poverty, lack of access to education, cultural norms, armed conflict, and economic pressures. It is very important to address these factors for effective solutions.

Child Labour in India

In India, there are five major sectors where child labour is most prevalent. These sectors are:

• Agriculture – The largest number of children are employed in the agricultural sector and related activities. Children in rural areas are employed in sugarcane, wheat and rice farms, where they are forced to work for long hours in scorching heat.
• Brick Kilns – For ages, the brick kiln industry has been employing children at low wages. In several brick kilns, children work for long hours with their parents and are exposed to toxic fumes and pollutants.
• Garment Industry – The Indian garment industry constitutes a large portion of child labour. Most of the Indian garment industries are managed by local start-ups, who hire children at low wages to preserve their profit margin.
• Fireworks – Firework factory owners hire a significant number of children at low wages. Children working in fireworks factories work in cramped conditions and are exposed to toxic fumes and hazardous chemicals, which hampers their physical and mental health.
• Unorganised Sectors – The unorganised sector includes local dhabas, food and tea stalls, vegetable and fruit vendors, etc. These people employ children as helpers and servants. 

Also Read: Essay on Discipline

5 Steps to Eradicate Child Labour

• Raising Awareness: Raising awareness about child labour can be the first step to eradicating child labour. If people, especially parents, are aware of the consequences of child labour, they might not force their children to work in hazardous places. 
• Support Families: Traffickers prey on vulnerable children, especially those who come from poor families and are not aware of child labour. We need to support these families by providing them with financial assistance, job training for adults, and other resources. When families have enough money to live on, they are less likely to rely on their children’s income.
• Strict Laws: There is an urgent need for stringent laws against child labour. Strict laws against child labour can bring long-lasting social changes. In India, child labour is a crime. According to the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act of 1986, children below the age are prohibited from working. However, this law is not strictly enforced.
• Pro-child Laws: Today, various NGOs are working in collaboration with local and state governments to implement pro-child laws.
• Education for All : Education must be made compulsory and accessible to all. In India, the Right to Education is a fundamental right. Yet, a lot of children are deprived of this basic constitutional right. Strict laws and easy access to education can bring a big change, ending child labour in the country.

Also Read: Essay on Summer Vacation in 100, 250 and 350 words

10 Lines to Add in Child Labour Essay

Here are 10 lines on child labour. Feel free to add them to your child labour essay or similar topics.

• Child labour deprives children of their right to a proper childhood.
• It involves children working in harmful environments. 
• It Disrupts their physical and mental well-being.
• Poverty is a major factor pushing children into the workforce at an early age.
• Lack of access to education often perpetuates the cycle of child labour.
• Children engaged in labour are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
• Hazardous conditions in factories and mines pose serious health risks to working children.
• Child labour hinders the development of necessary skills and knowledge for the future.
• Long working hours and limited leisure time impact a child’s social and emotional growth.
• Addressing the root causes, such as poverty and lack of education, is crucial in the fight against child labour.

Ans: Child labour refers to the practice of employing young children in hazardous places like factories and mines. Child labour exploits children for their basic childhood rights and hampers their physical and mental growth. According to the International Labour Organization, the minimum age for work is 15 years. However, some countries have set the minimum working age at 14 years.

Ans: Poverty and Unemployment, Lack of Access to Education, Law of Enforcement Laws, Debt Bondage, etc. are some of the primary causes of child labour.

Ans: Child labour is banned in India. According to the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, of 1986, no child below 14 years of age is allowed to work in hazardous or domestic places, like factories, mines or shops.

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• Child Labour Essay

What is Child Labour?

Child Labour means the employment of children in any kind of work that hampers their physical and mental development, deprives them of their basic educational and recreational requirements. A large number of children are compelled to work in various hazardous and non-hazardous activities such as in the agriculture sector, glass factories, carpet industry, brass industries, matchbox factories, and as domestic help. It is a blot on our society and speaks immensely about the inability of our society to provide a congenial environment for the growth and development of children. 

Childhood is considered to be the best time of one’s life but unfortunately, this does not hold true for some children who struggle to make both ends meet during their childhood years. According to the Child Labour project and 2011 census, 10.2 million children are engaged in child labour in India, out of which 4.5 million are girls. 

Earlier, children helped their parents in basic chores in agriculture such as sowing, reaping, harvesting, taking care of the cattle, etc. However, with the growth of the industries and urbanization, the issue of child labour has increased. Children at a very tender age are employed for various inappropriate activities and they are forced to make hazardous stuff using their nimble fingers. They are employed in the garment factories, leather, jewellery, and sericulture industries. 

Contributing Factors of Increasing Child Labour

There are a number of factors that contribute to the rise of this peril. 

Poverty plays a major role in the issues of child labour. In poor families, children are considered to be an extra earning hand. These families believe that every child is a bread-earner and so they have more children. As these children grow up, they are expected to share their parents’ responsibilities. 

Illiteracy is an important factor that contributes to this problem. The illiterate parents think that education is a burden because they need to invest more in comparison to the returns that they get in the form of earnings from their children. Child labourers are exposed to unhygienic conditions, late working hours, and different enormities, which have a direct effect on their cognitive development. The tender and immature minds of the children are not able to cope with such situations leading to emotional and physical distress. 

Unethical employers also prefer child labourers to adults because they canextract more work from them and pay a lesser amount of wage. Bonded child labour is the cruellest act of child labour. In this type of child labour, the children are made to work to pay off a loan or a debt of the family. Bonded labour has also led to the trafficking of these impoverished children from rural to urban areas in order to work as domestic help or in small production houses or just to lead the life of street beggars. 

Role of the Government

The government has a very important role to play in the eradication of child labour. As poverty is the major cause of child labour in our country, the government should give assurance to provide the basic amenities to the lower strata of our society. There should be an equal distribution of wealth. More work opportunities need to be generated to give fair employment to the poor. The various NGOs across the nation should come forward and provide vocational training to these people in order to jobs or to make them self-employed. 

This lower stratum of our society should understand and believe in the importance of education. The government and the NGOs should reach out to such people to raise awareness and initiate free education for all children between the age group of 6-14 years. The parents must be encouraged to send their children to schools instead of work. 

Educated and affluent citizens can come forward and contribute to the upliftment of this class of society. They should spread the message about the harmful effects of child labour. Schools and colleges can come up with innovative teaching programmes for poor children. Offices and private and government institutions should offer free education to the children of their staff. 

Moreover, awareness of family planning needs to be created among these people. The NGOs and the government must educate them about family planning measures. This will help the family to reduce the burden of feeding too many mouths.

Child Labour is a Crime 

Despite the strict law about child labour being a crime, it is still widely prevalent in India and many other countries worldwide. Greedy and crooked employers also lack awareness of human rights and government policies among the people below poverty. 

Children in certain mining operations and industries are a cheap source of labour, and the employers get away with it because of corruption in the bureaucracy. Sometimes low-income families may also ignore basic human rights and send their children to earn extra money. It is a systemic problem that needs to be solved by addressing issues at many levels. 

However, to protect young children from such exploitation, the Indian government has come up with a set of punishments. Any person who hires a child younger than 14, or a child between the ages of 14 and 18 in a dangerous job, they are liable to be imprisoned for a term of 6 months-2 years and/or a monetary penalty ranging between Rs.20,000 and Rs.80,000.

Eradicating Child Labour 

Eradication of child labour will require support from multiple aspects of society. The government programs and government agents can only go so far with their efforts. Sometimes, poor and uneducated families would be reluctant to let go of their familiar ways even when better opportunities are provided.

That’s when normal citizens and volunteers need to step up for support. NGOs supported by well-meaning citizens will have to ensure that the government policies are strictly enforced, and all forms of corruption are brought to light.  

Education drives and workshops for the poor section of the economy need to help raise awareness. Parents need to understand the long-term benefits of education for their children. It can help in developing the quality of life and the potential to rise out of poverty.

The harmful consequences of child labour mentally and physically on the children need to be taught in the workshops. Government petitions can also encourage schooling for younger children by offering nutritious meals and other benefits. 

Education about family planning is also critical in helping to control the population. When low-income families have more children, they are also inclined to send them for work to help float the household. Having fewer children means that they are valued, and parents focus on providing for their nourishment, education, and long-term well-being. 

Having fewer kids also makes them precious, and parents will not send them to hazardous working environments in fear of permanent injury or death. The government should introduce incentives for families with one or two children to encourage poorer families to have fewer children and reap the benefits while providing a good life.

Government Policies

The Indian Government enacted many laws to protect child rights, namely the Child and Adolescent Labour Act, 1986, the Factories Act, 1948, the Mines Act, 1952, the Bonded Labour System Abolition Act, and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000. 

As per the Child Labour Act (Prohibition and Regulation), 1986, children under the age of fourteen years old could not be employed in hazardous occupations. This act also attempts to regulate working conditions in the jobs that it permits and emphasizes health and safety standards. 

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 mandates free and compulsory education to all children between the age group of 6 to 14 years old. 

A nation full of poverty-ridden children cannot make progress. It should be the collective responsibility of society and the government to provide these impoverished children with a healthy and conducive environment, which will help them to develop their innate capabilities and their skills effectively.

FAQs on Child Labour Essay

Q1. What do you understand by Child Labour?

Child Labour means the employment of children in any kind of work that impedes their physical and mental development, deprives them of their basic educational and recreational requirements.

Q2. What factors lead to Child Labour?

Poverty, illiteracy, no family control lead to Child Labour. Even the growth of industrialization and urbanization play a major role in the Child Labour. The exploitation of poor people by unethical employers on account of failing to pay their loans or debts, lead to child labour.

Q3. What measures should be taken to eradicate Child Labour?

The government, NGOs should raise awareness about family control measures among the weaker section of the society. The government should provide free amenities and education to children between the age group of 6-14 years. The government should generate more employment opportunities for them. The schools and colleges can come up with innovative teaching programs for them.

Q4. Which policy has banned the employment of Children?

 The Child and Adolescent Labour Act, 1986 has banned the employment of children under the age of 14 years.

Q5. What are the causes of child labour? 

Child labour is mainly caused by poverty in families from the underprivileged section of the economy. Poor and uneducated parents send children to work under unsupervised and often dangerous conditions. They do not realise the damage it causes for children in the long run. Child labour is also caused by the exploitation of poor people by crooked employers. The problem is also fueled by corruption at the bureaucratic level, which ignores worker and human rights violations.

Q6. How to prevent child labour? 

Child labour can be prevented by education programs supported by the government and also NGOs. Volunteers have educated low-income families about the dangers of child labour and the benefits of education. Government laws should be reformed and enforced more rigorously to punish people who employ underage children.

Q7. What are the types of child labour?

There are mainly four types of child labour: 

Domestic child labourers:   These are children (mostly girls) who wealthy families employ to do the household chores.

Industrial child labourers:   Children are made to work in factories, mines, plantations, or small-scale industries. 

Debt Bondage:   Some children are forced to work as debt labourers to clear the inherited debts of their families. 

Child Trafficking:   Child trafficking is when orphaned or kidnapped children are sold for money. They are exploited the most without regard for their well-being. 

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Child Labour In India - UPSC Essay Preparation For IAS Exam

Child labour essay for upsc.

“LET EVERY CHILD BE FREE TO BE A CHILD.” – KAILASH SATYARTHI

Yes indeed. This holds true for many of us who have lived our innocence. However, this isn’t the reality for the ‘not so privileged’.

Child Labour is often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. 

In India, child labour has been one of the biggest concerns for the authorities to overcome. In this article, we shall discuss the causes and effects of child labour in the country. This is an important topic from the IAS Exam perspective. 

Child Labour in India

As per a report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), in India, there are 10.1 million working children between the age of 5 to 14 years. This data was based on the Census of 2011. 

As per Census 2011, the total child population in India in the age group (5-14) years is 259.6 million. Of these, 10.1 million (3.9% of total child population) are working, either as ‘main worker’ or as ‘marginal worker’. In addition, more than 42.7 million children in India are out of school. 

However, there has been a decline of 2.6 million children affected by child labour between the Census 2001 and 2011. Given below are the statistics for the same:

As per the Census of 2011, there are five major states in India that constitute 55% of the total number of child labour in the country. Refer to the table below:

To know in detail about the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) , a United Nations agency that provides developmental and humanitarian aid to children worldwide, candidates can visit the linked article. 

The definition of Child Labour must be seen in line with the different categories of the same instead of using it in a sweeping manner:

• Child Labour: Those children who are doing paid or unpaid work in factories, workshops, establishments, mines and in the service sector such as domestic labour.
• Street Children: Children living on and off the streets, such as shoeshine boys, ragpickers, newspaper-vendors, beggars, etc.
• Bonded Children: Children who have either been pledged by their parents for paltry sums of money or those working to pay off the inherited debts of their fathers.
• Working Children: Children who are working as part of family labour in agriculture and in home-based work.
• Children used for sexual exploitation: Many thousands of young girls and boys serve the sexual appetites of men from all social and economic backgrounds. Direct links between the commercial sexual exploitation of children and other forms of exploitative child labour are numerous.
• Migrant children: India faces a huge challenge with “distress seasonal migration”. At worksites, migrant children are inevitably put to work. All evidence indicates that migrations are large and growing. The number of children below 14 years of age thus affected.
• Children engaged in household activities: Apart from children who are employed for wages (either bonded or otherwise) as domestic help, there are a large number of children (especially girls) who are working in their own houses, engaged in what is not normally seen as “economic activity”. These children are engaged in taking care of younger siblings, cooking, cleaning and other such household activities. Further, if such children are not sent to school, they will eventually join the labour force as one of the above categories of child labour.

Also, refer to the following links for UPSC preparation:

Causes of Child Labour in India

Discussed below are the main causes of child labour in India:

• Over Population – The population of the country is more in comparison to the job opportunities available
• Illiteracy – This is one of the biggest causes. If a child is unable to gain education due to financial or social reasons, he/she is more likely to opt for working at wages and helping the family
• Poverty – To overcome the financial crisis and poverty, parents are forced to make their children work for money
• Urbanization is another cause
• Orphans – New provisions should be made by the authorities for orphans so that they can be educated and avoid working at a young age for their own livelihood and survival
• Adult unemployment – Until the adults are not employed, they cannot educate their offsprings which ultimately leads to child labour
• Debt trap – In cases, a financial backlog or debt also is a reason which leads to child labour
• Cheap labour – The labour salary is minimal, thus, to increase the family income, they are forced to let their children work

If the above-mentioned points are taken care of by the concerned authorities, child labour iin India can be reduced. 

Acts for Children Welfare in India

Child labour is a matter on which both the Union Government and state governments can legislate. A number of legislative initiatives have been undertaken at both levels. The major national legislative developments include the following:

• Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
• Factories Act, 1948
• Mines Act, 1952
• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) of Children Act, 2000
• Right to Education Act, 2009
• National Child Labour Programme, 1988
• Article 24 of the Indian Constitution

There are a few Non-Government Organisations like Bachpan Bachao Andolan, CRY, Pratham, etc., which also work for the welfare of the country. 

World Day against Child Labour 

World Day Against Child Labour was introduced in 2002 by the International Labour Organisation. It is celebrated on June 12th every year across the world. 

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the day was celebrated via a virtual campaign that was organised jointly by the Global March Against Child Labour and the International Partnership for Cooperation on Child Labour in Agriculture (IPCCLA). The theme for 2020 was “Protect children from child labour, now more than ever” .

Although India has shown improvement in the statistics from the 2001 Census, yet there is a long way that needs to be travelled to completely eradicate child labour from the country. 

The Government must enforce stricter laws and punishment against child labour and primary education must be made free for all so that no one is deprived of education and knowledge. 

CSE aspirants can refer to the UPSC Syllabus at the linked article and accordingly start their preparation for the upcoming recruitment.

For any further exam updates, study material or preparation strategy, candidates can turn to BYJU’S for assistance. 

Frequently Asked Questions on Child Labour in India

Q 1. what is the age for child labour in india, q 2. what are the causes of child labour.

Ans. There are many factors that lead to child labour in India. Given below are a few:

• Lower Labour Pay Scale for Adults

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Workers — The Issue of Child Labour in India

The Issue of Child Labour in India

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Published: Mar 1, 2019

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Child Labour in India: Causes, Consequences and Solutions

The article on Child Labour in India aims to cover the facts, statistics, causes, consequences, solutions and other related aspects of the topic in detail.

What is Child Labour?

Child Labour means when children are made to work in a way that takes away their childhood, potential, and self-respect.

• It includes work that is dangerous or harmful to children’s physical, mental, social, or moral well-being.
• It also includes work that stops them from going to school, either by not allowing them to attend or by forcing them to leave early.

Whether a particular type of work is considered child Labour depends on factors like the child’s age, the kind and hours of work, the conditions in which it takes place, and the rules set by each country. The definition may vary from country to country and even within different industries within a country.

Facts and Statistics of Child Labour in India

• Total child population (5-14 years) in India: 259.6 million (Census 2011).
• Working children in India: 10.1 million (3.9% of the total child population) as “main workers” or “marginal workers.”
• Out-of-school children in India: more than 42.7 million.
• Child Labour decreased in India by 2.6 million between 2001 and 2011.
• The decline is more visible in rural areas, while the number of child workers increased in urban areas, indicating a growing demand for child workers in menial jobs.

Causes of Child Labour

There are many other factors that contribute to the problem, such as social norms, cultural beliefs, and discrimination.

Consequences of Child Labour

The consequences faced have a far-reaching impact on the child, society, and the nation as a whole:

Solutions to the Issue of Child Labour in India

Addressing the issue of child Labour in India requires a comprehensive approach involving various stakeholders.

• Strengthening Legislative Framework: Enforce and strengthen existing laws, such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, to ensure comprehensive protection for children and stricter penalties for offenders. Amendments should align with international standards.
• Access to Quality Education: Ensure universal access to free and quality education for all children. Implement and enforce the Right to Education Act, focusing on reducing dropout rates and increasing enrollment in schools.
• Poverty Alleviation: Tackle the root causes of child Labour by implementing poverty alleviation programs, providing economic support to families living in poverty, and promoting livelihood opportunities for parents.
• Awareness and Sensitization: Conduct widespread awareness campaigns targeting parents, communities, and employers about the detrimental effects of child Labour on children’s physical, mental, and educational development.
• Rehabilitation and Social Protection: Develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs for rescued child laborers, including access to education, vocational training, healthcare, and psychological support. Establish social protection schemes for vulnerable families to prevent children from entering the Labour force.
• International Cooperation: Collaborate with international organizations, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, to access expertise, technical assistance, and financial resources to combat child Labour effectively.
• Empowering Local Communities: Involve local communities, including parents, teachers, and community leaders, in preventing child Labour. Empower them to identify and report cases of child Labour and provide support for rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

It is important to recognize that addressing child Labour is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires sustained efforts, collaboration, and the commitment of all stakeholders to create lasting change.

Addressing and eliminating child Labour is crucial for the well-being of children, the progress of society, and the sustainable development of a nation. It requires concerted efforts, comprehensive policies, and the active involvement of various stakeholders to ensure the protection of children’s rights and their holistic development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Child Labour in India

How many children are presently working as labour in india.

There are around 10.1 million (3.9% of the total child population) as “main workers” or “marginal workers.”

What is the major reason for Child Labour in India?

The major reason for child Labour in India is poverty . Families living in poverty often resort to child Labour as a means of survival, as children can be paid less and are more vulnerable to exploitation.

What are the 10 Causes of Child Labour?

The 10 causes of child Labour include poverty, lack of access to education, limited enforcement of child Labour laws, cultural attitudes and norms, armed conflict, discrimination, inadequate social protection, migration, globalization, and demand for cheap Labour.

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Child Labour in India: An In-Depth Analysis of a Persistent Social Issue

Relevant for UPSC Mains GS 2 – Social Justice

Introduction: Child labour is a pressing social issue in India, with millions of children engaged in work that deprives them of their childhood, education, and future prospects. Despite legal frameworks and numerous initiatives to eradicate child labour, the problem persists, with children working in various sectors, often in hazardous conditions. In this comprehensive blog, we will explore the issue of child labour in India, examining its causes, consequences, and potential solutions to this deeply rooted problem.

• Understanding Child Labour in India: Child labour refers to the employment of children below the legal age, in activities that are mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), child labour is defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, potential, and dignity, and that is harmful to their physical and mental development. In India, child labour is widespread across various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and the informal sector. Children often work long hours in hazardous environments, with little or no access to education, healthcare, or basic rights.
• Poverty: Poverty is the primary driving force behind child labour in India. Families living in poverty often rely on the income generated by their children to meet basic needs, forcing children to work instead of attending school.
• Lack of Access to Quality Education: Inadequate access to quality education, particularly in rural areas, leads many children to drop out of school and enter the workforce. Additionally, the lack of infrastructure, resources, and trained teachers in many schools contributes to poor learning outcomes, further discouraging children from continuing their education.
• Social and Cultural Factors: Traditional beliefs, social norms, and cultural practices often perpetuate child labour in India. In some communities, child labour is considered a part of the social fabric, with children expected to contribute to their family’s income or learn a trade from an early age.
• Ineffective Legal Framework and Implementation: Although India has a legal framework in place to combat child labour, implementation and enforcement of these laws are often weak. Corruption, lack of resources, and inadequate monitoring systems contribute to the limited effectiveness of existing laws and policies.
• Impact on Child Development: Child labour has a profound impact on a child’s physical, mental, and emotional development. Long hours of work in hazardous conditions can lead to injuries, chronic health issues, and psychological trauma.
• Loss of Education and Future Opportunities: Children engaged in labour often miss out on education, limiting their future opportunities and perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Lack of education also hinders their ability to contribute to the nation’s development in the long run.
• Perpetuation of Poverty and Inequality: Child labour contributes to the perpetuation of poverty and inequality in society, as children who work instead of attending school are more likely to remain trapped in a cycle of poverty throughout their lives.
• The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016: This Act prohibits the employment of children below 14 years of age in all occupations and processes, with certain exceptions for family enterprises and child artists. The Act also regulates the working conditions of adolescent workers (aged 14-18) and prohibits their employment in hazardous occupations and processes.
• The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009: The RTE Act guarantees free and compulsory education for all children aged 6-14 in India, ensuring that every child has access to quality education, which is crucial in preventing child labour.
• National Child Labour Project (NCLP): The NCLP is a government initiative aimed at rehabilitating child labourers through the provision of education, vocational training, and healthcare. The project also raises awareness about child labour and its adverse effects on children, families, and society.
• Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS): The ICPS is a comprehensive scheme aimed at creating a safe and protective environment for children through the establishment of child protection services at national, state, and district levels.
• Poverty Alleviation: Tackling the root cause of child labour – poverty – is essential in the fight against child labour. Implementing policies and programs aimed at poverty alleviation, such as income-generation schemes, skill development initiatives, and social security measures, can help reduce the reliance on child labour for family income.
• Ensuring Access to Quality Education: Improving access to quality education, particularly in rural and marginalized communities, can help prevent child labour. Investments in school infrastructure, teacher training, and the development of contextually relevant curricula can improve learning outcomes and encourage children to stay in school.
• Strengthening Legal Framework and Enforcement: Enhancing the effectiveness of existing laws and policies is critical in the fight against child labour. This can be achieved through better monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, increased resources for inspections and prosecutions, and the establishment of dedicated child labour courts.
• Collaboration between Stakeholders: Combating child labour requires a coordinated effort among various stakeholders, including the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and local communities. Collaborative initiatives, such as public-private partnerships and community-based programs, can help pool resources and expertise to address the issue more effectively.
• Raising Awareness and Advocacy: Raising awareness about the adverse effects of child labour and promoting a change in societal attitudes towards the issue is crucial. Advocacy campaigns, community mobilization efforts, and engagement with the media can help challenge prevailing norms and practices that perpetuate child labour.

Conclusion: Child labour in India is a deeply entrenched social issue, with its roots in poverty, lack of access to quality education, social and cultural factors, and ineffective legal frameworks. Addressing the problem requires a multi-faceted approach, involving various stakeholders and focusing on strategies that tackle the root causes of child labour. With concerted efforts and collaboration, it is possible to eradicate child labour in India, ensuring a brighter future for millions of children who are currently deprived of their basic rights and opportunities.

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Rise in Child Labour

• 14 Jun 2023
• 15 min read
• GS Paper - 2
• Issues Related to Children
• Government Policies & Interventions

This editorial is based on Covid has led to major rise in child labour which was published in The Indian Express on 11/06/2023. It talks about the issue of Child Labour and how the Covid pandemic has led to an increase in its prevalence.

Prelims: WHO , UNICEF , ILO , National Crime Records Bureau , Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 , National Policy on Child Labour (1987), Pencil Portal

Mains: Child Labour – Causes, Laws, Socio-Economic impacts and Way Forward

The Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees and exposed multiple fault-lines in the healthcare, education, economic, and job-related sectors. India has not been immune to this devastation. As per the official statistics around 5,31,843 deaths have been reported from India to the WHO .

But it is among the marginalised sections of society, especially women and children, that the effect of the pandemic has been deep and long lasting. Households that were surviving in poor economic conditions were pushed to the brink of poverty. These conditions have exacerbated the social inequities and have exposed women and children to abuse, violence and lack of security.

A 2022 report by UNICEF and International Labour Organization (ILO) said that as Covid has put children at risk of child labour globally, the number of child labour cases were expected to rise by 8.9 million by the end of 2022. As per the US Department of Labour, disruption in supply chains has thrust people into unemployment leading to an increase in poverty.

What does the Data say about Child Labour in India?

• According to the last available Census 2011 , there were 10.1 million child labourers in India.
• As per the National Crime Records Bureau Report 2022 , in 2021, around 982 cases were registered under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 , with the highest number of cases registered in Telangana, followed by Assam.
• Aide et Action’s study in India on the impact of COVID-19 on migrant children revealed a two-fold increase in the number of children who accompanied their working parents to the brick-making industry after the first wave COVID-19 pandemic.
• According to a study by Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), there has been a significant increase in the proportion of working children from 28.2% to 79.6% out of the 818 children who were surveyed, mainly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and closure of schools.
• According to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, the number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide with millions more at risk due to the impacts of COVID-19.
• India’s biggest child labour employers are – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

What are the Prominent Causes of Child Labour in India?

• Poverty: Many families are unable to afford the basic needs of life and send their children to work instead of school. Poverty also forces some children to work as bonded labourers or migrate to other places in search of work.
• Social norms: Some communities and families have a tradition of making their children work in certain occupations, such as agriculture, carpet weaving, or domestic service. Some also believe that education is not important or suitable for girls.
• Lack of decent work opportunities for adults and adolescents: Due to the high unemployment rate and low wages, many adults and young people are unable to find decent and dignified work. This leads them to engage in informal and hazardous work or push their children into labour.
• Poor School Infrastructure : Many schools in India lack adequate facilities, teachers, and quality education. Some schools also charge fees or other expenses that are unaffordable for poor families. These factors discourage parents from sending their children to school and make them drop out.
• Emergencies: Natural disasters, conflicts, and pandemics can disrupt the normal functioning of society and increase the vulnerability of children. Some children may lose their parents, homes, or access to basic services. They may be forced to work for survival or be exploited by traffickers and other perpetrators.

How has the Covid Pandemic aggravated the issue of Child Labour?

• Fall in Living Standards: The pandemic has caused economic insecurity, unemployment, poverty and hunger for many families, forcing children to work for survival.
• Loss of Guardianship: The pandemic claimed many lives, leaving numerous children without parents. As a consequence, some of these children were compelled to engage in child labor.
• Deteriorating Employment Opportunities: The disruption in supply chains, trade and foreign investment has reduced the demand for labour and income opportunities for adults, making children more vulnerable to exploitation.
• Rise in Informality: The pandemic has increased the share of informal workers who lack social protection, decent working conditions and access to health care. Children are often employed in informal sectors such as agriculture, domestic work, street vending, mining and construction.
• Migration: Economic hardships and disruptions caused by the pandemic may have resulted in increased migration, both internal and cross-border. Migrant children, particularly those who are unaccompanied or separated from their families, have been more susceptible to exploitation and forced labor. 
• Temporary School Closures: The pandemic has disrupted the education of millions of children, especially those who lack access to online learning or face barriers such as lack of electricity, devices or internet. School closures increased the risk of dropouts, early marriages, teenage pregnancies and child labour.

What is the Socio-Economic Impact of Child Labour?

• Reduced Human Capital Accumulation: Child labor diminishes children's ability to accumulate skills and knowledge, affecting their future productivity and income.
• Perpetuation of Poverty and Child Labour: Child labor lowers wages for unskilled work, contributing to the cycle of poverty and continued child labor.
• Impaired Technological Progress and Economic Growth: Child labor hampers technological advancements and innovation, slowing down long-term economic growth and development.
• Deprivation of Rights and Opportunities: Child labor deprives children of their rights to education, health, protection, and participation, limiting their future opportunities and social mobility.
• Undermined Social Development and Cohesion: Child labor weakens social development and cohesion within a country, impacting stability and democracy.
• Negative Health Impacts : Child labor exposes children to hazards, physical injuries, diseases, abuse, and exploitation, adversely affecting their physical and mental well-being, mortality rates, and life expectancy.

What Initiatives have been taken by the Government to Curb Child Labour?

• Right to Education Act (2009) : It added Article 21A to the Constitution which recognizes education as a fundamental right of every child and provides for free and compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14 years.
• Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (1986): Bans the employment of children below 14 years and adolescents below 18 years in hazardous occupations and processes..
• The Factories Act (1948): Prohibits the employment of children below 14 years of age in any hazardous environment and restricts the working hours and conditions of adolescents (14 to 18 years) who are allowed to work only in non-hazardous processes.
• National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme : It seeks to provide non-formal education, vocational training, mid-day meal, stipend and health care to the rescued children and then mainstream them into formal schooling system.
• Pencil Portal: The platform aims at engaging the Central Government, State Government, District, civil society and the public in eradicating child labour to achieve the target of a child labour free society. It was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
• The Minimum Age Convention (1973) - No. 138: This convention requires States party to set a minimum age under which no one shall be admitted to employment or work in any occupation. The minimum age should not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, not less than 15 years. However, developing countries may initially specify a minimum age of 14 years.
• The Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999) - No. 182 : This convention calls for the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including slavery, forced labour and trafficking; the use of children in armed conflict; the use of a child for prostitution, pornography and in illicit activities (such as drug trafficking); and hazardous work that is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.

What more should be done to Address the issue?

• It should also ensure that the laws are effectively implemented and enforced, by allocating adequate resources, capacity, coordination, data, accountability and political will. 
• The penalties for violating the child labour laws should be severe and consistent.
• This could include regular cash transfers, subsidies, pensions, health insurance, food security, etc. 
• The government should also facilitate access to credit, savings, microfinance and other livelihood opportunities for poor households.
• It should also improve the quality, relevance, safety and inclusiveness of education, by providing adequate infrastructure, teachers, curriculum, materials, scholarships, etc. 
• It should also follow up with children who drop out or do not enrol in school, and provide them with bridge education, vocational training or alternative learning opportunities.
• It should also mobilize action and support for the initiatives against child labour, by creating platforms, campaigns, networks, coalitions, etc. 
• The role of Panchayats can also be explored for raising awareness.
• It should provide humanitarian assistance and protection to affected children and families, such as food, water, shelter, health care, psychosocial support, etc. 
• It should also ensure the continuity of education and social protection services during and after the crises.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Q. International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182 are related to: (2018)

(a) Child Labour (b) Adaptation of agricultural practices to global climate change (c) Regulation of food prices and food security (d) Gender parity at the workplace

Q. Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation. (2016)

Child Labour Essay – Infinity Learn

Table of Contents

Child Labour Essay: Child Labour refers to the employment of children aged 5 to 17 years to deprive them of their childhood and force them into a life of deprivation and illiteracy. The main factor behind child labour is poverty; therefore, it is more rampant in developing or underdeveloped countries. Children in these countries are often forced into labour to supplement the daily income of their families.

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Short and Long Essay on Child Labour

For your information and knowledge, we have provided a short and long essay on Child Labour in English. These Child Labour essays have been written in simple yet effective English for you to make it easy to remember them and present them when required.

After going through the essays, you will learn a lot about child labour and its vital statistics. You will also know about the industries employing child labour in India; the negative effects of child labour on children; ways to tackle child labour; how child labour is related to poverty; the history of child labour; types of child labour in India, and statistics of child labour in India 2019.

These Child Labour essays will be extremely useful in your school/college assignments and competitions like speech giving, debate, and essay writing competitions.

Child Labour Essay 1 (100 Words)

• Child labour is the employment of children, often aged 5 to 17 years. At such a young age, children are a lot less demanding and could be very easily managed by the employees. For this reason, many unorganized sectors worldwide prefer to work with child laborers.
• There are nearly 152 million child labors worldwide, most driven by poverty. Low-income families unable to meet daily nourishment requirements are forced to send their children to manual work in different sectors. This way, the children could supplement their family’s income apart from fending for their vital requirements.

Child Labour Essay 2 (150 Words)

• Child labour is defined as the employment of children in such a way as to deprive them of their childhood, education, and growth opportunities. Many unorganized small sectors worldwide prefer to employ children for they are less demanding and easily manageable.
• Sometimes, the families of the children themselves push them into child labour for want of money, or they cannot feed the children. Such children often live in unhygienic and deprived conditions, with no medical aid and no education opportunity.
• Child labour forces a child into the vicious cycle of deprivation, illiteracy, and poverty. Such children cannot find a decent and suitable job as adults and are often regarded as socially backward. They live solitary lives of isolation and often take to unwanted and unethical means.

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Child Labour Essay 3 (200 Words)

• Child Labour refers to the employment of children in various sectors worldwide. It cludes mining, production industries, farming, and other unorganized sectors. Chil ren is often employed in these sectors for they are paid less and easy to manage.
• Child labour is widely practiced worldwide and deprives children of their childhood, education, and other growth opportunities. Chil ren is forced to engage in hazardous working conditions to support their families by supplementing their income.
• They work under a verbal or written contract between their employer and parents. Sometimes, it is to repay a debt taken by their families from the employer. Chil labour is more common in developing and underdeveloped nations. Love ty is the main driving factor behind child labour as the children are forced into child labour by their own families to fend for their everyday requirements for food and other necessities.
• There are many strict laws against child labour, and many countries, including India, have norms of imprisonment and fine if a person and organization is found involved in child labour. Deep te all the laws, we still need to forcibly implement them if we want child labour to be eliminated.

Child Labour Essay 4 (250 Words)

• The term “Child Labour” refers to the employment of young children in various sectors like industries, hotels, farming, etc. The time is used mainly to denote the employment of children falling in the age group of 5 – 15 years.
• Child labour deprives the children of their childhood and proper physical and mental growth opportunities. It a so considerably reduces a child’s possibility of getting educated and progressing in life.
• Worldwide, around 218 million children aged 5 to 17 years are employed as child labour. The children are subjected to live in poor hygienic conditions and are deprived of the basic necessities of life.
• They never get an opportunity to go to school, forcing them into decades of poverty and labour. Working in poor health conditions, they also become susceptible to various diseases, and their conditions are rarely addressed.
• Such children are also subjected to living in isolation and are not allowed to interact with people socially and make friends or play. Such a poor work environment is stressful for a child and often results in several mental conditions like depression. Such children often take drugs and other substances, resulting in further physical and mental damage.
• There is a need to strictly supervise the sectors prone to employing children and impose harsh penalties with money and imprisonment on them for doing so.

Child Labour Essay 5 (300 Words)

Introduction

Child labor is the employment of children for different works to interfere with their normal mental, physical, and social growth opportunities. T al o deprives the children of the much-needed education.

Industries Employing Child Labour in India

There are five major sectors in India employing children as child labors. ey an e as described below-

• Garment Industry – Child labour constitutes a considerable workforce in the Indian garment industry. E industries operate in small owner-managed setups mainly operated from homes. Ads of children in Delhi are employed by the garment industry and are subjected to loud noise, extensive working hours, and sharp tools.
• Unorganized Sectors – This sector is one of India’s greatest employers for children. It every easy to spot a child working in dhabas, roadside eateries, tea shops, and other businesses. Children are also employed in small shops as servants or help. Based businesses prefer to employ children as they are easily manageable and cost less.
• Brick Kilns – The brick kiln industry of India has long been witnessing child labour. E children in brick kilns work for long hours with their parents. Working in the brick kiln are exposed to hazardous conditions and toxic fumes, and heated temperatures.
• Fireworks – The fire sector is India’s most significant employer for children. N this sector often work in cramped spaces and are exposed to dangerous chemicals and hazardous substances, posing a risk to their health and life, and so forced to work for long hours during the festive season.
• Agriculture – The agriculture sector might be the biggest employer of children in India. E hired in cotton, sugarcane, paddy, and other agriculture-related fields. C il e working in agriculture have to work for longer hours, are paid less, and work in unhygienic conditions.

Children are forced into child labour due to poverty and to supplement their family’s income. E s d to identify these sectors and make necessary policies and laws to prevent the employment and exploitation of children in these sectors.

Child Labour Essay 6 (350 Words)

The engagement of children as manual labors in different organized and unorganized sectors is termed child labour. Derives t children of their educational opportunities, growth opportunities, socialization, and health. D bo I physically and mentally harmful to the students.

Adverse Effects of Child Labour

• Child labour has many negative impacts on children. D e wo n as child labour often works in challenging and life-threatening conditions with no one to care for them. Re pai e than an adult doing the same job; moreover, they are underfed.
• Their employers do everything to keep them cut off from the other parts of the world, forcing them to live a life of isolation and labour; re not n allowed to talk to or meet anyone. An io like this often results in mental disorders like depression, drug addiction, substance abuse, etc.

How can we Help to Stop Child Labour?

We can take a few simple steps to help stop child labour. s ould be an Sf the child labour laws in the country and must always diligently follow them.

Also, keeping an eye on the businesses employing children and reporting the same to competent authorities will prove helpful in eliminating child labor.

A workplace risk assessment for the dangers it poses to the children must also be carried out. Hiring chi e for work should be immediately stopped at any cost.

Child Labour and Poverty

One of the main factors behind child labour is poverty. D en e forc i o labor mainly to supplement their families’ income. e the are gi c actual labour by the family to the employer in exchange for money, or the family employs them in any of its traditional businesses.

For instance, poor farmers in India are forced to use their children as labor because it would be difficult to pay for adult laborers.

Child labour is a severe threat that impedes a nation’s growth and the world. O er, i depriv t child deprives childhood, love, and education and forces them into arduous, hazardous, nonsociable, and pathetic conditions.

Child Labour Essay 7 (400 Words)

Child Labour refers to the employment of children in various sectors to deprive them of their childhood, education, and other growth opportunities and cause physical and mental harassment. p ime reason beh Pild labour is poverty, and more often than not, the children are employed to supplement their family’s income.

History of Child Labour

• During the preindustrial societies, the concept of childhood was in existence. Den as ung as 1 year was engaged in hunting, woodcutting, farming, etc. though it wasn’t child labour in the true sense, the children did these jobs to facilitate the survival of their group or family.
• Low productivity and low life expectancy were two of the main characteristics of the preindustrial area. e preven ng the l en from engaging in productive work would mean stalling their progress and lowering their survival chances. An ion in t se days s t considered necessary for survival than skills.
• The exploitation of children as child labour began in the late 18 th century with the industrial revolution. Br tain, cities like Birm gham and Liverpool fast grew into big industrial cities, attracting millions from villages and other rural areas. S situation was the same S the develop same economies.
• The Victorian era in Britain ranged from 20 June 1837 to 22 January 1901. It was the most infamous for child labor as you as your ar are employed in factories and mines in the Victorian era and worked in unimaginabl rd us and life-threatening conditions.

World Statistics on Child Labour

World Statistics reveal that nearly 218 million children worldwide are employed. E children f l in the g of 5 to 17 years, and approximately 152 million are, in the true sense, employed as child labour.

Statistics also reveal that nearly 73 million children worldwide work in hazardous and life-threatening conditions.

By the numbers, Africa has around 72.1 million children employed as child labour, nearly half of the world’s figure of 152 million. The Pacific has 62 million child labors; America has 10.7 million child labors, while Central Asia, Europe, and Arab states have 5.5 million and 1.2 million, respectively.

Child Labour has existed for centuries, even in some of the world’s developed economies. t mes the rea n is to ma the child employable, and sometimes it is to supplement their family’s income; nevertheless, in both cases, it interferes with the child’s ability to grow, get educated, and be happy.

Child Labour speech 8 (500 Words)

Child Labour refers to the physical exploitation of children by engaging them in work that deprives them of their childhood, education, growth, and development and is physically and mentally harmful. c laws prohib ing child ou are in place in countries worldwide, including India, but there is a need to implement them more effectively than before.

Causes of Child Labour in India

The UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children around the world, states poverty is the biggest cause of child labour in India and other developing and underdeveloped countries around the globe.

Due to poverty, children are subjected to labour to supplement their family’s income. the absence of good e at nal infrastructure in rural India and a lack of awareness are reasons behind child labour in India.

Types of Child Labour in India

Two types of Child Labour exist in India: debt bondage child labour and the employment of children to supplement their family’s income. r less, in bo kin of c d bour, the will of others is partially or fully forced upon the child.

In debt bondage child labour, a child is employed for work through a verbal assurance or written agreement, specifically to clear the debt taken by his parents from the creditor. g the legislation bans the s ci tion of child labour in India, the instances of bonded child labour continue even today.

Another form of child labour is where the parents of a child agree with the employer to employ their child to supplement the family’s income. v r, poverty is t main facto eh d all the types of child labour in India and other parts of the world.

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Child Labour in India Statistics 2019

Statistics provided by UNICEF revealed that nearly 10.1 million children in India engaged in child labour. Children fall in the age 14 years 4.5 million girls and 5.6 million boys. 0% of child labors employed n ral India.

Child Labour in India is more prevalent in Uttar Pradesh (2.1 million), Bihar (1 million), Madhya Pradesh (0.7 million), Maharashtra (0.72 million), and Rajasthan (0.84 million).

Indian industries employing a major share of child labors in India are the cotton industry, matchbox making industry, agriculture sector, and other small unorganized sectors.

Child Labour Laws in India

Several laws enacted in India prohibit the engagement of children in the workforce. m jor laws are the Juvenile Justi (c e and protection) of Children Act -2000 and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Abolition) Act -1986. e acts form the basis of all other il labour laws in India.

Child Labour a serious hindrance to the growth of a nation and its social and economic development. There are many la to eliminate il labour, they must effectively implemented.

A range of students studying in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc., classes can use any of the above-given essays on child labour. a e worded to let students understan wit ut any difficulty. t from the child labo essay, you ca et ther related essays and information such as:

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Essay on Child Labour

Here we have shared the Essay on Child Labour in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

You can use this Essay on Child Labour in any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams. 

Topics covered in this article.

Essay on Child Labour in 150 words

Essay on child labour in 200-300 words, essay on child labour in 500-1000 words.

Child labour is a global issue that deprives children of their childhood, education, and well-being. It involves exploitative work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally harmful. Children engaged in labour-intensive jobs face hazardous conditions and miss out on opportunities for education and personal development. Poverty, lack of access to education, and inadequate enforcement of laws contribute to the persistence of child labour. Efforts to eliminate child labour require a comprehensive approach, including policy implementation, social protection measures, and awareness campaigns. Global initiatives and conventions aim to eradicate child labour and promote quality education for all children. It is crucial to create an environment where children can thrive, receive proper education, and break free from the cycle of poverty. Every child deserves the right to a childhood filled with learning, growth, and protection.

Child labour is a pressing issue that continues to plague societies around the world. It refers to the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives them of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular schools, and is mentally, physically, socially, or morally harmful.

Child labour deprives children of their basic rights and hampers their overall development. It denies them the opportunity to receive proper education, resulting in limited opportunities for future growth. Children engaged in labour-intensive work are exposed to hazardous conditions, risking their physical and mental well-being.

The root causes of child labour are complex and multifaceted, including poverty, lack of access to education, social and cultural norms, and inadequate enforcement of laws and regulations. Eradicating child labour requires a holistic approach, involving the implementation of effective policies, social protection measures, and increased awareness.

Efforts are being made globally to combat child labour, including the enactment of laws, international conventions, and initiatives aimed at eliminating this practice. It is crucial to create an environment where children can receive a quality education, enabling them to break free from the cycle of poverty and contribute to the development of their communities.

In conclusion, child labour is a grave violation of children’s rights and a hindrance to their overall well-being and development. It is imperative for governments, organizations, and individuals to work together to address the root causes and eliminate child labour. Every child deserves a childhood filled with learning, growth, and opportunities for a brighter future.

Title: Child Labour – A Stolen Childhood

Introduction :

Child labour is a grave global issue that robs children of their childhood, dignity, and fundamental rights. It refers to the exploitative employment of children in work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally harmful. Child labour is a complex problem with deep-rooted causes, including poverty, lack of access to education, social norms, and weak enforcement of laws. This essay examines the causes, consequences, and efforts to combat child labour, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to protect the rights and well-being of children.

Causes of Child Labour

Child labour is often driven by economic factors, with families living in poverty compelled to send their children to work in order to supplement household income. Limited access to quality education, lack of affordable schooling, and inadequate social support contribute to the prevalence of child labour. In some cases, cultural and social norms perpetuate the idea that children should work, depriving them of their right to education and nurturing childhood.

Consequences of Child Labour

Child labour has severe consequences for children’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Children engaged in hazardous work face significant health risks, including injuries, illnesses, and developmental delays. They are often denied the opportunity to attend school, hindering their educational development and limiting future opportunities. Child labour perpetuates the cycle of poverty, as illiteracy and limited skills trap individuals in low-wage, exploitative employment in adulthood.

Exploitative Industries

Child labour is prevalent in various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, construction, and domestic work. In agriculture, children are often engaged in hazardous tasks such as pesticide application, heavy lifting, and long hours of work. In manufacturing and mining, children are exposed to dangerous machinery, toxic substances, and exploitative working conditions. Domestic work exposes children to long hours, physical abuse, and isolation.

Legal and Ethical Perspectives

International conventions, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, condemn child labour and call for its elimination. Many countries have enacted laws to protect children’s rights and prohibit child labour. However, weak enforcement, limited resources, and gaps in legislation hinder the effective eradication of the problem. Ethical considerations highlight the importance of corporations and consumers in ensuring responsible supply chains that are free from child labour.

Efforts to Combat Child Labour

Various organizations, governments, and civil society groups are actively working to combat child labour. They focus on initiatives such as providing access to quality education, vocational training for adults, poverty alleviation programs, and social protection measures. Advocacy campaigns raise awareness about the harmful consequences of child labour and mobilize support for its eradication. International collaborations and partnerships aim to address the systemic issues that perpetuate child labour, fostering sustainable solutions.

Conclusion :

Child labour remains a grave violation of children’s rights and a barrier to their development. It is a global problem that requires collective action to address its root causes. By addressing poverty, improving access to education, enforcing protective legislation, and promoting responsible business practices, we can create a world where children are protected, educated, and free from exploitation. Efforts must be intensified to ensure that every child enjoys their right to a childhood, education, and a future filled with hope and opportunity. Together, we can work towards a world where child labour is eradicated, and all children have the chance to thrive and realize their full potential.

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Article on Child Labour

Child labour takes place when children are forced to work at an age when they are expected to work, study and enjoy their phase of innocence. It implies lost or deprived childhood that leads to exploitation of children in various forms: mental, physical, social, sexual and so on.

The society, voluntary organizations and law-makers have an obligation to put an end to the evil practice of child labour in India. Here we are providing you some useful articles on child labour under various categories according to varying words limits. You can choose any of them as per your need:

Child Labour Articles

Article on child lab our 1 (300 words).

Not all children in India are lucky to enjoy their childhood. Many of them are forced to work under inhuman conditions where their miseries know no end.  Though there are laws banning child labour, still children continue to be exploited as cheap labour. It is because the authorities are unable to implement the laws meant to protect children from being engaged as labourers.

Unfortunately, the actual number of child labourers in India goes un-detected. Children are forced to work is completely unregulated condition without adequate food, proper wages, and rest. They are subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Causes of Child Labour: Factors such as poverty, lack of social security, the increasing gap between the rich and the poor have adversely affected children more than any other group. We have failed to provide universal education, which results in children dropping out of school and entering the labour force.

Loss of jobs of parents in a slowdown, farmers’ suicide, armed conflicts and high costs of healthcare are other factors contributing to child labour.

A widespread problem: Due to high poverty and poor schooling opportunities, child labour is quite prevalent in India. Child labour is found in rural as well as urban areas. The 2001 census found an increase in the number of child labourers from 11.28 million in 1991 to 12.59 million.

Children comprise 40% of the labour in the precious stone cutting sector. They are also employed in other industries such as mining, zari and embroidery, dhabas, tea stalls and restaurants and in homes as domestic labour.

Conclusion: Government authorities and civil society organizations need to work in tandem to free children engaged in labour under abysmal conditions. They need to be rescued from exploitative working conditions and supported with adequate education. Above all, there is a need to mobilize public opinion with an aim to bring about an effective policy initiative to abolish child labour in all its forms.

Article on Child Labour 2 (500 words)

A large number of children in India are quite strangers to the joys and innocence of the formative years of their lives. Instead of enjoying their early steps on their life’s journey, they are forced to work under conditions of slavery. Child labour persists due to the inefficiency of law, administrative system and exploitative tendencies on the part of employers.

Children are employed illegally in various industries. But agriculture is the largest sector where children work at early ages to contribute to their family income. Rural areas employ 85 percent of the child labour in India. They are forced to work at young ages due to factors such as poverty, unemployment, a large family size, and lack of proper education.

Backgrounder to child labour: In British India, a large number of children were forced into labour due to the increasing need of cheap labour to produce a large number of goods. The companies preferred recruiting children as they could be employed for less pay, better utilized in factory environment, lacked knowledge of their basic rights, and possessed higher trust levels.

The practice of child labour continued even in the post-Independence India, though the government continued to take legislative measures against child labour. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights passed in 1948 incorporated the basic human rights and needs of children for proper progression and growth in their younger years. Article 24 of the Constitution bans engagement of children below the age of 14 in factories, mines, and other hazardous employment. Article 21A and Article 45 promise to impart free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14.

The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act enacted in 1986, prohibited children younger than the age of 14, from being employed as child labour in hazardous occupations. Significantly in 2009, India passed the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE). More recently, the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016, passed by Parliament, prohibits “the engagement of children in all occupations and of adolescents in hazardous occupations and processes”. Here adolescents refers to those under 18 years; children to those under 14. The Act also imposes a stringent penalty on anyone who employs or permits adolescents to work.

Nevertheless, child labour has now led to alarming proportions. As per an estimate, India contributes to one-third of Asia’s child labour and one-fourth of the world’s child labour.

Prevalence of child labour: Child labour in India is now not confined to the agricultural sector. In recent times, children are engaged into activities such as beedi-making, brick kilns, carpet weaving, commercial sexual exploitation, construction, fireworks and matches factories, dhabas, hotels, hybrid cottonseed production, leather, mines, quarries, silk, synthetic gems, etc.

Conclusion: The government should bring down the incidence of child labour through reform and investment in education. Mid-day meals should be re-emphasized; homeless children should be provided housing through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan boarding schools, and laws banning child labour should be more strictly enforced.

Article on Child Labour 3 (600 words)

Despite constitutional provisions against child labour, a large number of children continue to be exploited under hazardous work conditions. Poorly paid for long hours of work, they have to abandon their studies to support their family at an age when they are supposed to just play around and have fun. They are made to forego all the joys of childhood by a cruel and ruthless world.

Widespread prevalence of child labour: Rural areas employ the largest number of child labour. In urban areas, they work in dhabas, tea-stalls and restaurants, and households. They are shamelessly exploited in the unorganized sector as domestic servants, hawkers, rag-pickers, paper vendors, agricultural labourers, and as workers in industrial concerns.

Some of the industries that employ children as labourers include match industry in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu; glass in­dustry in Firozabad, brassware industry in Moradabad and the handmade carpet industry in Mirzapur-Bhadoi, precious stone polishing industry in Jaipur, Rajasthan; lock making industry in Aligarh; slate industry in Markapur, Andhra Pradesh, and slate industry in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh.

Bonded child labour : Sometimes, children are employed against a loan or debt or social obligation by the family of the child. Generally, they are forced to work assisting their families in agricultural sector, brick kilns, and stone quarries. In urban areas, children of migrant workers mostly belonging to low caste groups such as dalits or marginalised tribal sections are pledged to work in small production houses and factories. Bonded child labourers are particularly subjected to mental, physical and sexual abuse, sometimes even leading to death. In Orissa, people sell daughters, eight to 10 years old, as maid servants to the creditor in order to clear their debt.

Causes of Child Labour: Child labour is inevitable in a country like India where over 40 per cent of the population lives in conditions of extreme poverty. The children have to supplement their parents’ income or in some cases, they are the only wage earners in the family.

Another reason is that vested interests deliberately create child labour to get cheap labour as a factory hand, a domestic servant or a shop assistant.

The state of Child Labourers: Children often work in dangerously polluted factories. They work for 9 to 10 hours at a stretch including night shifts. No wonder that a large number of child workers have sunken chests and thin bone frames which give them a fragile look. They are made to work in small rooms under inhuman conditions which include unhygienic surroundings. Most of these children come from extremely poor households. They are either school drop-outs or those who have not seen any school at all.

Child labourers run the risk of contracting various diseases. They are vulnerable to exploitation by all. There is no strict enforcement of laws against child labour, so, employers continue to circumvent the provisions of the law in the full knowledge that the child workers themselves will not dare to expose them.

Conclusion: The authorities should incorporate a provision for surprise checks and establish a separate vigilance cell. Employers should compulsorily take steps for the intellectual, vocational and educational well-being and upliftment of a child worker.

We need policies which try to alleviate poverty and inequality as they can have a significant and decisive impact on economic conditions and social structures that have a bearing on child labour. Such initiatives may incorporate agrarian reforms, employment-generation programmes, use of improved technology among the poor, promotion of the informal sector and creation of cooperatives and social security schemes. Also required is effective enforcement machinery to punish the violators of laws. Labour-inspection and related services need to be strengthened.

Article on Child Labour 4 (800 words)

Child labourers have to toil long hours to eke out a living for themselves and support their families. Exploitation becomes a way of life for them and becomes very harmful to their physical and mental development. They are forced to inhabit an adult world, shoulder adult responsibilities, and suffer extreme exploitation.

Despite legislation banning child labour, it has not been possible to completely stop the practice of hiring children as labour across the world. India is no exception to employment of children as labour; rather the country employs the largest number of child labourers in the world.

Causes of Child Labour: Poverty, social inequality and lack of education are among is the main cause of child labour. According to a UNICEF report, in rural and impoverished parts of the world, children have no real and meaningful alternative as schools and teachers are not available. Many communities, particularly rural areas do not have adequate school facilities, even the availability and quality of schools is very low.

Also, the low paying informal economy thrives upon the low cost, easy to hire, easy to dismiss labour in the form of child labour. After the unorganized agriculture sector which employs 60% of child labour, children are employed in unorganized trade, unorganized assembly and unorganized retail work. Other contributory factors to child labour include inflexibility and structure of India’s labour market, size of informal economy, inability of industries to scale up and lack of modern manufacturing technologies.

Bonded child labour in India: Under this system, the child, or usually child’s parent enter into an agreement, wherein the child performs work as in-kind repayment of credit. Though India passed the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act of 1976 prohibiting solicitation or use of bonded labour including children, the practice of bonded child labour has not ceased.

Consequences of Child Labour: Child labour inflicts damage to a child’s physical and mental health. A child labourer has no basic rights to education, development, and freedom. Children employed as labourers work in unsafe environments where there is a constant danger of fatal accidents. They are forced to lead a life of poverty, illiteracy, and deprivation. They are required to perform gruelling and physically demanding tasks and in return receive only meagre wages. Poor working conditions cause severe health problems to such children. A child labourer not just suffers physical and mental torture but also becomes mentally and emotionally mature too fast which is never a good sign.

Various laws but no implementation: Apart from the enactment of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, the Indian Constitution has incorporated various provisions against child labour such as the following:

• According to Article 24, no child below the age of 14 years shall be employed to work in any factory or in any hazardous employment (but not in non-hazardous industries).
• As per Article 39(f)), childhood and youth are to be protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.
• Article 45 stipulates that the state shall endeavour to provide within a period of 10 years from the commencement of the Constitution free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of 14 years.

The Factories Act of 1948 prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory. The Mines Act of 1952 prohibits the employment of children below 18 years of age in a mine. Also, various laws and the Indian Penal Code, such as the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) of Children Act-2000, and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Abolition) Act-1986 seek to prevent the practice of child labour in India. Unfortunately, these laws and regulations have not been backed by effective and proper implementation and enforcement.

Conclusion: Collective efforts are needed on the part of society and the government to put an end to the practice of child labour. In fact, every citizen should take a pledge to never employ child labourer, rather discourage others too from doing so. We should create awareness amongst people employing child labourers and the parents sending their children to work. We need to provide our children a happy childhood where they are able to enjoy the best period of their lives with a merry and carefree attitude.

The government should make efforts to increase the incomes of parents by launching various development schemes. Efforts should be made towards poverty eradication combined with educational reforms to provide free or affordable access to quality education. Only by taking comprehensive steps, the Government can hope to eliminate all forms of child labour by 2020.

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Essay Curve

Essay on Child Labour In India – 100, 200, 500, 1000 Words

Essay on Child Labour In India: Child labour is a pressing issue in India, with millions of children forced to work in hazardous conditions instead of attending school and enjoying their childhood. In this essay, we will explore the causes and consequences of child labour in India, as well as the efforts being made to eradicate this practice. By shedding light on this important issue, we hope to raise awareness and inspire action to protect the rights and well-being of India’s most vulnerable population.

Table of Contents

Child Labour In India Essay Writing Tips

1. Introduction: Start your essay by introducing the topic of child labour in India. Provide some background information on the issue and why it is a significant problem in the country.

2. Definition of child labour: Define what child labour is and explain the different forms it can take, such as children working in factories, mines, or as domestic workers.

3. Statistics: Include some statistics on the prevalence of child labour in India. You can mention the number of children involved in child labour, the industries where it is most common, and the impact it has on their lives.

4. Causes of child labour: Discuss the factors that contribute to child labour in India, such as poverty, lack of education, and cultural norms. Explain how these factors push children into the workforce at a young age.

5. Consequences of child labour: Highlight the negative effects of child labour on children, such as physical and mental health problems, lack of education, and limited opportunities for their future. Discuss how child labour perpetuates the cycle of poverty and exploitation.

6. Government initiatives: Mention some of the laws and policies that have been implemented in India to address child labour, such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act. Discuss the effectiveness of these initiatives and any challenges they face in enforcement.

7. Role of society: Explain the role that society plays in perpetuating or combating child labour. Discuss the importance of raising awareness about the issue and advocating for the rights of children.

8. Conclusion: Summarize the key points of your essay and reiterate the importance of addressing child labour in India. Offer some suggestions on how individuals, communities, and the government can work together to eliminate this harmful practice.

By following these tips, you can write a comprehensive essay on child labour in India that highlights the causes, consequences, and solutions to this pressing issue.

Essay on Child Labour In India in 10 Lines – Examples

1. Child labour is a prevalent issue in India, with millions of children engaged in various forms of work. 2. Many children are forced to work in hazardous conditions, such as factories, mines, and agricultural fields. 3. Poverty is one of the main reasons for child labour in India, as families rely on their children’s income to survive. 4. The lack of access to education and social protection programs also contribute to the problem of child labour. 5. Child labour not only deprives children of their childhood but also hinders their physical, mental, and emotional development. 6. The Indian government has implemented laws and policies to address child labour, but enforcement remains a challenge. 7. Non-governmental organizations and international agencies are also working to combat child labour in India. 8. Efforts are being made to provide education, vocational training, and support services to children at risk of or engaged in child labour. 9. Public awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts are crucial in raising awareness about the harmful effects of child labour. 10. It is essential for all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and the private sector, to work together to eliminate child labour in India.

Sample Essay on Child Labour In India in 100-180 Words

Child labour is a serious issue in India that continues to plague the country despite various laws and regulations in place. According to the International Labour Organization, there are an estimated 10.1 million child labourers in India, with many of them working in hazardous conditions.

Children are often forced to work in industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and domestic work, depriving them of their right to education and a normal childhood. They are subjected to long hours, low wages, and physical and emotional abuse.

The government has taken steps to address the issue, including the enactment of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, which prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14 in hazardous industries. However, enforcement of these laws remains weak, and many children continue to be exploited.

It is crucial for society to come together to combat child labour and ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive an education and lead a life free from exploitation.

Short Essay on Child Labour In India in 200-500 Words

Child labour is a pervasive issue in India, with millions of children forced to work in hazardous conditions instead of attending school and enjoying their childhood. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are an estimated 10.1 million child labourers in India, making it one of the countries with the highest number of child labourers in the world.

There are various reasons why child labour persists in India. Poverty is one of the main drivers, as families living in poverty often rely on their children to work in order to supplement their income. Lack of access to education is another contributing factor, as many children are unable to attend school due to financial constraints or lack of schools in their area. In addition, cultural norms and traditions also play a role, as some communities believe that children should be working from a young age to contribute to the family’s income.

Child labour takes many forms in India, with children working in a variety of industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and domestic work. These children are often subjected to long hours, low pay, and dangerous working conditions. Many are also vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and trafficking.

The Indian government has taken steps to address the issue of child labour, including enacting laws such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, which prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14 in hazardous industries. However, enforcement of these laws is often weak, and many children continue to work in violation of these regulations.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other civil society groups also play a crucial role in combating child labour in India. These organizations work to rescue and rehabilitate child labourers, provide them with access to education and vocational training, and advocate for stronger laws and policies to protect children from exploitation.

Despite these efforts, child labour remains a persistent problem in India. It is essential for all stakeholders – including the government, civil society, businesses, and communities – to work together to address the root causes of child labour and create a more supportive environment for children to thrive. By investing in education, social protection, and economic opportunities for families, we can help break the cycle of poverty and exploitation that perpetuates child labour in India. Only then can we ensure that every child has the opportunity to enjoy their childhood and reach their full potential.

Essay on Child Labour In India in 1000-1500 Words

Child labour is a pervasive issue in India, with millions of children being forced to work in hazardous conditions instead of attending school and enjoying their childhood. This problem has deep-rooted causes and severe consequences for the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of these children. In this essay, we will explore the reasons behind child labour in India, its impact on society, and possible solutions to address this pressing issue.

One of the main reasons for the prevalence of child labour in India is poverty. Many families living in poverty rely on their children to work in order to supplement their income and make ends meet. These children are often forced to work in industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and domestic work, where they are exploited and paid meagre wages. Without access to education and proper healthcare, these children are trapped in a cycle of poverty that perpetuates the problem of child labour.

Another contributing factor to child labour in India is the lack of enforcement of child labour laws and regulations. Despite the existence of laws prohibiting child labour, many employers continue to exploit children for cheap labour due to a lack of oversight and accountability. In addition, the informal nature of many industries in India makes it difficult to monitor and regulate working conditions, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

Furthermore, societal attitudes towards child labour also play a role in perpetuating this problem. In many communities, children are seen as a source of income rather than individuals with rights and needs. This mindset perpetuates the cycle of poverty and exploitation, as families continue to rely on their children to work instead of investing in their education and well-being.

The impact of child labour on society is profound and far-reaching. Not only does it deprive children of their right to education and a childhood, but it also perpetuates the cycle of poverty and inequality. Children who are forced to work at a young age are more likely to drop out of school, limiting their opportunities for future employment and economic mobility. This perpetuates the cycle of poverty and perpetuates the problem of child labour for future generations.

Child labour also has serious consequences for the physical and mental well-being of children. Many child labourers are exposed to hazardous working conditions, such as long hours, exposure to toxic chemicals, and physical abuse. This can have long-term consequences for their health and development, leading to physical injuries, respiratory problems, and mental health issues. In addition, child labour can have a lasting impact on children’s self-esteem and sense of worth, as they are denied the opportunity to pursue their interests and develop their talents.

In order to address the issue of child labour in India, it is essential to take a multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of the problem. One key strategy is to invest in education and social services for vulnerable children and families. By providing access to quality education, healthcare, and social support services, we can help break the cycle of poverty and exploitation that drives child labour. This includes providing scholarships, school supplies, and other resources to children from low-income families, as well as creating awareness campaigns to educate communities about the importance of education and child rights.

Another important step is to strengthen enforcement of child labour laws and regulations. This includes increasing inspections of workplaces, imposing stricter penalties on employers who exploit children, and providing support services for child labourers who are rescued from exploitative situations. By holding employers accountable for their actions and providing support for child labourers, we can create a safer and more just society for all children.

In addition, it is crucial to address the societal attitudes and norms that perpetuate child labour in India. This includes challenging the belief that children are a source of income and promoting the idea that every child has the right to a safe and healthy childhood. By working with communities, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to change attitudes towards child labour, we can create a more supportive environment for vulnerable children and families.

In conclusion, child labour is a pervasive issue in India that has deep-rooted causes and severe consequences for the well-being of children and society as a whole. By addressing the root causes of child labour, strengthening enforcement of laws and regulations, and changing societal attitudes towards child labour, we can create a more just and equitable society for all children. It is essential that we work together to protect the rights and well-being of children and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

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The issue of child labour in India

  Syllabus: Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of the Vulnerable Sections

Source: DTE    

Please refer to a previous article on a similar theme: Child trafficking in India

Context: According to the ILO, a shocking 10.1 million children in India find themselves engaged in various forms of labour.

Child labour:

• A form of modern slavery, child labour includes any work that deprives children of their childhood, potential and dignity, and physical or mental development. (ILO)
• The practice includes trafficking , sexual exploitation, debt bondage, and exploitation in armed conflicts.
• Article 24 of the Indian constitution prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory or mine or employed in any hazardous employment.
• Perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty (child labour → poor education, health → less economic opportunities → poverty), denying children their fundamental rights and a better future.
• Child labour exposes children to physical (injuries, health complications and long-term developmental issues) and mental harm (anxiety, emotional trauma and a sense of hopelessness).

Prevalence in India:

• According to the latest National Sample Survey data, UP leads with an estimated 2.1 million child labourers.
• UP together with Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and MP constitute nearly 55% of the total working children in India.
• Rural-urban distribution: The prevalence of child labour in rural areas (14%) is close to three times higher than in urban areas (5%).
• Gender distribution: Child labour is more prevalent among boys than girls at every age.
• Sectoral distribution: The agriculture sector accounts for 70% of child labour (112 million), followed by 20% in services and 10% in industry).
• Their educational status: Nearly 28% of children aged 5-11 years and 35% of children aged 12-14 years involved in child labour are out of school.

Case study – The plight of child labourers in India’s Aligarh:

• Aligarh is known for its renowned lock industry .
• Children as small as 12, are employed by the lock manufacturing units for a paltry sum of Rs 120.

Steps taken:

National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme:

• The Union Ministry of Labour & Employment has been implementing the scheme for the rehabilitation of child labourers through District Project Societies under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate.
• Bridge education,
• Vocational training,
• Mid-day meals, stipend, health care, etc. before being mainstreamed into the formal education system.
• The NCLP scheme has now been subsumed under Samagara Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) .

The role played by the ILO:

• It plays a crucial role in setting international labour standards and advocating for their implementation.
• It facilitates dialogue and cooperation to address labour challenges through its tripartite structure, bringing together representatives of workers, employers and governments.
• The theme for World Day Against Child Labour 2023 (June 12) is “Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!” – highlighting the connection between social justice and the issue of child labour.
• Access to quality education empowers them with the knowledge and skills they need to break free from the clutches of labour.
• Enforcement of labour laws and providing social protection .

Conclusion:

The battle against child labour necessitates a united front – a resolute stance against this grave injustice that brings together governments, non-profits and individuals from all walks of life.

Insta Links:

Child trafficking in India

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An overview of the situation in India regarding working children in India.

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Child Labour in India: Globalization, Power, and the Politics of International Children's Rights

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India has the largest number of child labourers in the world, and has been the subject of intense media and political campaigns in the North aimed at addressing the abuse of children’s rights. This book explores children’s rights as a site of power and reveals how the rights discourse has been used by international actors, national elites, and local NGOs in the child labour debate in India. While discussing the children’s rights in the contemporary world, the author analyses human rights and power along with insights from postcolonial theorists. He provides empirical accounts of how three Indian NGOs—Bonded Labour Liberation Front, Butterflies, and South Asian Coalition on Child Servitude—are using the discourse of children’s rights to challenge child labour practices. Combining global and local perspectives to arrive at a comprehensive picture, the book locates the struggle for child rights on two fronts: critiquing neo-liberal globalization and challenging rights violations in India.

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