Name- Arundhati Ghosh

Class- 11
Section- humanities
Roll no. - 26

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Acknowledgement

I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to our sociology teacher Mrs. Gray
as well as our principal for giving us the opportunity to work of insightful topics
of
‘The problem of child labour’ and ‘poverty and crime’.

The topics have been extremely insightful and have helped me gain my
knowledge quotient.

I would also like to thank my peers and my parents for assisting me in the
compilation and completion of this project.

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 THE PROBLEM
OF
CHILD LABOUR
IN
INDIA

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Index

s.no Topic Pg. no.

1. Introduction 6-7
2. Objective of study 8
3. Review of literature 9
4. Research methodology 10
5. Data collection and analysis 11-22
6. Conclusion 23
7. Limitations 25
8. Bibliography 26

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Introduction
Child labour is not a recent problem; its roots can be traced back to the early stages of
industrialization when children were often exploited for their labour in factories and mines.
Despite global efforts to eradicate child labour, it continues to exist in various forms, ranging
from hazardous and exploitative work to more subtle forms of exploitation.

Even though the definition of child labour is not universal , according to the International
Labour Organisation , child labour essentially means anywork that is mentally, physically,
socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children and interferes with their schooling by
depriving them of the opportunity to attend school, obliging them to leave school
prematurely, or requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively
long and heavy work.

Child labour can also be characterised by the following:

i) Children who are engaged in work unsuitable for their capacities as children or in work
that may jeopardise their health, education or moral development and whose age is below 14
years.

ii) Children who practise and engage in economic activities, on a part or full-time basis.

iii) The practices which deprive children of their childhood and are harmful to their physical
and mental development.

Child labour is essentially caused due to:

i) Acute poverty.
ii) Lack of educational resources
iii) Social and Economic Backwardness
iv) Lure of cheap labour
v) Family tradition

Impacts of child labour:

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  General child injuries and abuses like cuts, burns, and lacerations, fractures, tiredness
and dizziness, excessive fears and nightmares.

 Sexual abuse, particularly sexual exploitation of girls by adults, rape, prostitution,

early and unwanted pregnancy, abortion, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and
HIV/AIDS, drugs and alcoholism.

 Physical abuse that involves corporal punishment, emotional maltreatment such as

blaming, belittling.

Laws such as “The Child Labour Prohibition Act of 1968” and the “Right to Education
Act of 2009” help in regulating and eradicating child labour along with other
governmental and non-governmental aids.

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Objectives of study

To understand the problem of child labour.

To highlight the causes,effects, and consequences of child labour.

To explore the suggestive methods to regulate and eradicate child labour by

the non-governmental organisations and government policies in India.

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Review of Literature

 Article 7. Paragraph 1. ILO Convention No. 138 classifies light work by

children as work which is not likely to be harmful to their health or
development and not such as to prejudice their attendance at school, their
participation in vocational orientation or training programmes approved by
the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from the instruction
received.

 Chakraborty, D. (2021) in ‘Child Labour in India’ . published by

International Journal of Law Management and Humanities states that the
cause of child labour in India is because poverty and unemployment levels
are high, access to compulsory and free education is limited,existing laws
or codes of conduct are often violated, and because laws and enforcement
are often inadequate.

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Research methodology
Research methodology are the specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select,
process, and analyse information about a topic. In a research paper, the methodology section
allows the reader to critically evaluate a study’s overall validity and reliability. A
methodology is a system of rules, principles and procedures that guides scientific
investigation.

The method used for this study is content analysis. Data is collected by the researcher
through the analysis and interpretation of various text based data. The use of articles,
journals, thesis of sociologists as well as statistical tabulations and calculations make this
study both quantitative and qualitative.

HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis is an assumption that is made on the basis of some evident idea that is suggested
as the possible explanation for something but has not yet been found out to be true or correct
for a hypothesis to be a scientific hypothesis, a scientific hypothesis requires to be one that
can be tested. Even though the word ‘hypotheses’ and ‘theory’ are often used synonymously,
a scientific hypothesis is not the same as ‘scientific theory’.

The hypothesis of this study is:

 Child labour is the deprivation of one’s childhood. It is the physical and mental work
done by children below the age of 14 due to economic and social pressure and force.
 The causes of child labour vary in reasons such as:poverty, population growth, lack of
educational facilities etc.
 There is an adverse impact of child labour on children; both physical and
psychological.
 The NGO’s and governmental policies have helped in regulating and reducing child
labour.

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Data Collection and Analysis
 To understand the problem of child labour

# 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. Child labourers constitute a group of working children who are either too
young to work or are engaged in hazardous activities- that is, work that is potentially harmful to
their physical, social, psychological or educational development.

# Global statistics of child labour

The global estimates of 2020 indicate that 160 million children – 63 million girls and 97 million
boys – are in child labour globally, accounting for almost one in ten of all children worldwide.
According to reports seventy-one percent of children in child labour work in the agricultural sector
and 69 percent perform unpaid work within their own family unit. Nearly half of all those in child
labour – 79 million children in absolute terms – are in hazardous work that directly endangers their
health, safety, and moral development.

# National statistics of child labour

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According to 2017 statics, India is one of the leading countries in Asia, has a whopping 33
million children employed in various forms of child labour.
1. India alone has 33 million child labourers.
2. Rural India has the highest percentage of child labour, accounting for 80% of the total
burden in India.
3. Children from rural India are most vulnerable to the vicious web of child labour in
India.
4. According to Census 2011, the highest number of child labourers work in Uttar
Pradesh.
5. Apart from industrial and agricultural tasks, many are made to work as maids, baby
sitters by the privileged.

#Nature of child labour in India

Child labour in India has many forms some of which are:
1. Rural-Urban areas:

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  In urban areas, a huge number of children are involved in manual domestic work, rag
picking, restaurants, motor repair shops, etc.

 In rural areas, children are involved in works such as :

 Agriculture including cotton growing,
 Glass,
 Matchbox industries,
 Brass, and lock-making factories
 Mining and stone quarrying,
 Brick kilns,
 Tea gardens

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

To highlight the causes and consequences of child labour.

# What are the causes of child labour?

 Poverty: The main reason for child labour in India is poverty. Most of the country's
population suffers from poverty. Due to poverty, parents cannot afford the studies of
their children and make them earn their wages from a tender age. They send their
small children to work in factories, homes, and shops. They are made to work to
increase the income of their poor families at the earliest. These decisions are taken
only for the purpose of eking out a living for their family. But such decisions shatter
children's physical and mental state as they lose their childhood at an early age.
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  Lack of educational resources: Even after 72 years of our country's independence,
there are instances where children are deprived of their fundamental right to education.
There are thousands of villages in our country where there are no proper facilities for
education. Some families are unable to afford school fees, pushing them towards child
labour as a more lucrative use of children’s time. Some cultures place less emphasis
on girls going to school and prefer that girls are prepared to carry out household tasks.

 The lure of cheap labour: In the greed of cheap labour, some shopkeepers,
companies and factory owners employ children so that they have to pay less to them
and it amounts to employing cheap labour. Shopkeepers and small businessmen make
children work as much as the older people do but pay half the wages. In the case of
child labour, there is less chance for theft, greed or misappropriation of money too.

 Social and economic backwardness: Social and economic backwardness is also the
main reason for child labour in India. Socially backward parents do not send their
children to receive an education. Consequently, their children are trapped in child
labour. Due to illiteracy, many times parents are not aware of various information and
schemes for child education. Lack of education, illiteracy and consequently the lack of
awareness of their rights among them have encouraged child labour.

#What are the consequences of child labour?

 General child injuries and abuses like cuts, burns, and lacerations, fractures,
tiredness and dizziness, excessive fears and nightmares.

 Sexual abuse, particularly sexual exploitation of girls by adults, rape, prostitution,

early and unwanted pregnancy, abortion, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and
HIV/AIDS, drugs and alcoholism.

 Physical abuse that involves corporal punishment, emotional maltreatment such as

blaming, belittling, verbal attacks, rejection, humiliation and bad remarks.

 Emotional neglect such as deprivation of family love and affection, resulting in

loneliness, and hopelessness.

 Physical neglect like lack of adequate provision of food, clothing, shelter and medical
treatment.

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  Lack of schooling results in missing educational qualifications and higher skills thus
perpetuating their life in poverty.

# What the effects of child labour?

Child labour can have a range of both mental and physical health effects on a child that often
continue into adulthood, these vary and include long-term health issues due to abuse, injuries,
malnutrition, exhaustion, psychological harm or exposure to chemicals, among others.

The mental and physical effects vary depending on the sector that children are working in -
 In agriculture, children are often exposed to working with hazardous toxic fertilizers and
pesticides, as well as heavy and dangerous tools or blades.

 In domestic work, children face the risk of being abused by their employers, working
excessively long hours or being isolated from their friends and family.
 In construction, children face the risk of injury from working with dangerous and heavy
loads and lack adequate personal protective equipment.

 In mining, children are exposed to working with explosives, poisonous chemicals and face
the risk of being placed in dangerous environments such as mines which are regularly the
source of collapses that can lead to serious injury or death.

 In manufacturing, children are exposed to unhealthy toxins, hazardous chemicals and poor
health and safety working regulations.

The worst forms of child labour include (ILO):

 Childtrafficking.
 Sexual exploitation (which includes pornography and prostitution)
 Drug trafficking.
 Debt bondage / bonded labour.
 Slavery.
 Forced labour.
 Organized child begging.

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  To explore the suggestive methods to regulate and
eradicate child labour by the non-governmental organisations and
government policies in India.

# Governmental policies to reduce and regulate child labour in India.

a)The Child Labour Prohibition Act 1986 bans the employment of children below the age of 14
in many professions, such as domestic labour, and in the hospitality trade for example in roadside
dhabas (restaurants), restaurants, hotels, motels, and spas. It does not ban child labour in
agriculture.

b) The Right to Education Act 2009 ensures all children 6- 14 years have the right to free and
compulsory education.

c) The Indian Constitution ensures the right of all children 6-14 years to free and compulsory
education; prohibits forced labour; prohibits the employment of children below 14 years in
hazardous occupations; and promotes policies protecting children from exploitation.

d) Whoever employs a child or permits a child to work is punishable with imprisonment from three
months to one year or with fine no less than INR 10,000–20,000 rupees or with both.

e) The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 defines a child as being
below 18 years of age. Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), ratified by India in
1992, all children have the right to be protected from work that is dangerous, or that might harm
children's health or education.

Our constitution provides special laws to eliminate child labour; some important ones are as
follows:

 The Mines Act of 1952: Prohibition of the presence of persons below eighteen years of age
in a mine. Any person below eighteen years of age should not be allowed to be present in any
part of a mine above ground where any operation connected with or incidental to any mining
operation is being carried on.

 The Apprentices Act of 1961: any individual who is 14 years of age or above and who has
minimum educational qualification as prescribed for a trade can undergo apprenticeship
training.
# Role of non-governmental organisations in reducing child labour.
They aim to achieve, eradicate economic condition, to get rid of child labour, uplift and instil
confidence among the weaker sections of the society. NGO services specialise in assessing
individual strengths and needs; setting personal goals and it provides surroundings that encourage
overall growth and development of the society.

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Social organisations in India play a vital role in reducing child labour through a range of initiatives
and strategies. These organizations focus on addressing the root causes of child labour, providing
support to children affected by it, and advocating for policy changes.
Measures taken by social and non-governmental organisations to combat child labour in
India:

By addressing the multifaceted aspects of child labour and collaborating with various stakeholders,
social organisations in India contribute significantly to efforts aimed at eradicating child labour and
ensuring a brighter future for vulnerable children.

 Awareness and Advocacy: Social organizations work to raise awareness about the issue of
child labour among communities, policymakers, and the general public. They conduct
campaigns, workshops, and seminars to educate people about the consequences of child
labour.

 Access to Education: Many social organisations run educational programs and schools in
areas with high child labour rates. They work to ensure that children have access to quality
education, which is a key deterrent to child labour.

 Livelihood Support for Families: Poverty is a significant driver of child labour. Social
organisations implement programs that provide vocational training and income-generating
opportunities for parents, aiming to improve the economic stability of families so that they
don't rely on child labour.

 Rescue and Rehabilitation: Some organisations actively engage in the rescue and
rehabilitation of child labourers. They collaborate with local authorities to rescue children
from exploitative situations and provide them with necessary support, including shelter,
counselling, and education.

 Community Mobilization: Social organisations work to empower communities to take a

stand against child labour. They engage with local leaders and community members to create
a supportive environment for child rights and education.

 Skill Development: Skill development programs are designed to equip adolescents and
young adults with marketable skills, making them less vulnerable to exploitation and more
capable of pursuing decent work.

 Advocacy for Policy Changes: These organisations advocate for stronger legal frameworks
and better enforcement of laws related to child labour. They often collaborate with the
government to draft and implement policies that protect children's rights.

 Monitoring and Reporting: Some social organisations engage in monitoring child labour
practices in specific industries or regions. They collect data on child labour incidents and
report them to authorities for intervention.

 Corporate Engagement: Social organizations work with businesses to promote ethical

supply chains and discourage the use of child labour in the production of goods and services.
They encourage responsible business practices through awareness campaigns and
partnerships.
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  Research and Data Collection: Research conducted by social organizations helps identify
trends, vulnerabilities, and new forms of child labour, allowing for more effective
interventions and policy recommendations.

# Organisations that help in reducing child labour in India

Numerous organisations in India are dedicated to reducing child labour and protecting the rights of
children. These organisations employ various strategies, including advocacy, education,
rehabilitation, and community engagement, to combat child labour and provide support to affected
children and their families.

BachpanBachaoAndolan (BBA): Founded

by Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, BBA is
a leading organisation in India working to
eliminate child labour and child
exploitation. They focus on rescue
operations, rehabilitation, and advocacy to
change policies and raise awareness.

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  Pratham: Pratham's programs aim to improve the quality of education in India and make it
more accessible to all children. They focus on getting out-of-school children into schools and
ensuring that they receive quality education.

 Save the Children India: Save the Children India runs various programs to protect
children's rights, including those related to child labour. They work on issues such as child
protection, education, and health.

 Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation (KSCF): Founded by Kailash Satyarthi, KSCF

works to eliminate child labour, child trafficking, and child exploitation. They advocate for
policy changes and engage in grassroots initiatives.

 CRYSTAL (Child Rights and You Support Team for Research, Advocacy, and
Learning): CRYSTAL is the research and advocacy arm of CRY, dedicated to generating
knowledge, data, and evidence to influence policy and program decisions related to child
rights and child labour.

 Bal Vikas Ashram (BVA): BVA focuses on rehabilitating child labourers and providing
them with education, vocational training, and a safe environment. They operate shelter
homes for rescued children.

 Child Rights and You (CRY):

CRY works to ensure the basic
rights of children, including the right
to education, nutrition, and
protection from child labour. They
partner with grassroots organisations
and communities to address child
labour issues.

 Butterflies India: Butterflies India focuses on the rehabilitation and mainstreaming of street
and working children. They operate shelter homes, provide education, and offer skill
development programs

 HAQ: Centre for Child Rights: HAQ is an organisation that advocates for child rights and
works to protect children from exploitation, including child labour. They engage in research,
legal action, and advocacy efforts.

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Conclusion

Child labour is a serious hindrance to the social and economic development of the nation.
Children employed in various sectors fail to get the necessary education, virtually forced to
lead a life of hardship and poverty. It also affects the overall health of a child, as children get
exhausted easily and are not physically fit to work for longer durations under difficult
conditions. For example, children employed in glass and firecracker industries work not only
for longer hours but also under hazardous conditions, seriously compromising their health.
They are continuously exposed to toxic gases and substances leading to various skin and
respiratory ailments.
Child labour can be stopped when knowledge is translated into legislation and action,
moving good intention and ideas into protecting the health of the children. The endurance of
young children is higher, and they cannot protest against discrimination. Focusing on
grassroots strategies to mobilize communities against child labour and reintegration of child
workers into their homes and schools has proven crucial to breaking the cycle of child
labour. A multidisciplinary approach involving specialists with medical, psychological and
socio-anthropological level is needed to curb this evil.

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Beyond legal and regulatory frameworks, governments and civil society must work to design
and implement policies which provide families and children with alternative livelihoods,
steering them away from the trappings of child labour. These initiatives must ensure that
children are at the heart of all decision-making processes, and that any useful interventions
are accessible to the children themselves.

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Limitations of the study

‘Child labour’ a widely researched and studied topic has a lot of interpretations and research
papers written worldwide which has led to a lot of repetitions too. It was a challenge to pick
up the accurate and authentic information and then analysing it. A lot of sites having
potentially good material needed a subscription to view the content. A consisting issue was
the time-consuming procedure and the time crunch simultaneously.

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Bibliography

Articles:

1. Edmonds, E.V. (2008) ‘Defining child labour: A review of the definitions

of child labour in policy research.’ published by the International Labour
Organisation.

2. Chakraborty,D. (2021) in ‘Child Labour in India’. published by the

International Journal of Law Management and Humanities.

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