The term “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. It refers to work 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.
The worst forms of child labour 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. Whether or not particular forms of “work” can be called “child labour” depends on the child’s age, the type and hours of work performed, the conditions under which it is performed and the objectives pursued by individual countries. The answer varies from country to country, as well as among sectors within countries.
Not all work done by children should be classified as child labour that is to be targeted for elimination. Children’s or adolescents’ participation in work that does not affect their Health and personal development or interfere with their schooling, is generally regarded as being something positive. This includes activities such as helping their parents around the home, assisting in a family business or earning pocket Money outside school hours and during school holidays. These kinds of activities contribute to children’s development and to the welfare of their families; they provide them with skills and experience, and help to prepare them to be productive members of Society during their adult life.
Child labour in india
India is one of the leading countries in Asia has a 33 million children employed in various forms of child labour .It is shocking that world’s largest Democracy is yet to ratify the Minimum age convention 1973 (No 138) of the International labour organisation (ILO) that lays down ground rules for EMPLOYMENT of minors across the globe.
1 in every 11 children in India works to earn a living ,according to statistics by action Aid India *There are five states which are India’s biggest child labour employers Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, as per data given out by save children NGO. National capital Delhi is responsible for a share of 1 million child labour alone.
Poverty is one of the main causes of child labour. In developing countries poverty is one of the major drawback and the children were considered as helping hand to feed their families, to support their families and to support themselves .Due to poverty, illiteracy and Unemployment parents are unable to send them to schools, instead the children were asked to help them in running a family so that the poor parents send their children for work in inhuman conditions at lower wages.
Debts
The poor economic conditions of people in India force them to borrow money. The illiterate seek debt from money lenders during emergency situation .At later point of time they find themselves difficult in paying back the debts and interest, as a result the debtors were made to work for money lenders and then debtors drag their children too in assisting them so that the debts could be paid off.
Professional Needs
There are some industries such as the bangle making Industry, where delicate hands and little fingers are needed to do very minute work with extreme excellence and precision. An adults hands are usually not so delicate and small, so they require children to work for them and do such a dangerous work with glass. This often resulted in eye accidents of the children.
Rights of Children Under National Laws
India has also taken effective measure under national level. In order to eliminate child labour, India has brought constitutional, statutory development measures. The Indian constitution has consciously incorporated provisions to secure compulsory elementary Education as well as the labour protection for the children. Labour commission in India have gone into the problems of child labour and have made extensive recommendations. The constitution of India, too provides certain rights to children and prohibits child labour such provisions are as follows:
No child below the age of 14 years shall be employed in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous work.
state in particular shall direct its policy towards securing that the health and strength of workers, men and Women and the tender age of the children are not abused and that citizen are not forced by economic necessity to enter vocations unsuited to their age or strength.
Children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and the dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitations and against moral and material abandon.
The state shall endeavour to provide, within the period of 10 years from the commencement of constitution, free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of 14 years.
The state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 to 14 years as such a manner as the state may by law determine.
Who is parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.
Failure of efforts
The main cause of child labour is higher poverty level .These children have no choice other than working as a labour in the factories child labour for these children is survival .if they don’t work they will die of poverty and hunger. They are the future of India .None of these children have the privilege to going to school and being able to go to a house at the end of the day. The child labour is prevalent at a large scale in the country. In Punjab it is found in hotels, restaurant, tea stalls, for which the administrative authorities, parents, educationalist, police officials and employers of public authority is responsible. There is lack of implementations of child laws. Since politicians and other authorities ignore it and the various departments for the labour laws fails to implement the laws properly .Laws remain merely on the paper for which the lack of control of Population and increasing unemployment are the major causes and politicians fear to tackle these problems in view of their vote banks.
The remedy is only in the hands of the government, it should take necessary steps to eradicate poverty through employment to the parents of the child labour .Necessary practical steps should be taken to educate the children .The government should allocate the necessary funds to educate and nurture the poor children. The violators of child labour laws should be punished accordingly.
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Child labor is a global problem that affects millions of children around the world. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are an estimated 152 million children aged 5 to 17 years engaged in child labor, 73 million of whom are girls. Of these, 10.5 million are engaged in hazardous work that directly endangers their health, safety, and moral development.
Child labor is found in all regions of the world, but it is most prevalent in developing countries. The ILO estimates that 73% of child laborers live in Asia and the Pacific, 16% live in Africa, 10% live in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 1% live in developed countries.
There are many different forms of child labor, but some of the most common include:
agriculture: Children are often employed in agriculture, where they may work in dangerous conditions such as with pesticides or heavy machinery.
Mining: Children are also often employed in mining, where they may work in dangerous conditions such as with explosives or in confined spaces.
Manufacturing: Children are also employed in manufacturing, where they may work in dangerous conditions such as with hazardous chemicals or in long hours.
Domestic work: Children are also employed in domestic work, where they may be exposed to physical and sexual abuse.
Street work: Children are also employed in street work, where they may beg, sell goods, or engage in other activities that put them at risk of exploitation.
There are many reasons why children are forced to work. Some of the most common reasons include:
Poverty: Many families cannot afford to send their children to school, so they send them to work instead.
Lack of education: Many children do not have access to quality education, which makes them more likely to be exploited into child labor.
Conflict: Children who live in areas affected by conflict are often forced to work to support their families.
Natural disasters: Children who live in areas affected by natural disasters are often forced to work to help their families recover.
Discrimination: Children who are discriminated against based on their race, ethnicity, or gender are more likely to be forced into child labor.
Child labor has many negative consequences for children, including:
Physical and mental health problems: Children who work in hazardous conditions are at risk of physical injuries, such as burns, cuts, and amputations. They are also at risk of developing mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic Stress disorder.
Educational problems: Children who work are less likely to attend school and complete their education. This can lead to lower earning potential in adulthood.
Social problems: Children who work are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as substance abuse and early sexual activity. They are also more likely to be victims of violence.
Economic problems: Child labor perpetuates poverty by keeping families in a cycle of poverty.
There are many things that can be done to address the problem of child labor. Some of the most effective solutions include:
Providing quality education: One of the most effective ways to prevent child labor is to provide quality education to all children. This will give them the skills and knowledge they need to get better jobs and escape poverty.
Raising awareness: It is important to raise awareness about the problem of child labor and the negative consequences it has on children. This can be done through education, public awareness campaigns, and advocacy.
Enforcing laws: It is important to enforce laws against child labor. This can be done through government action, such as inspections and prosecutions, as well as through community action, such as boycotts and protests.
Supporting organizations: There are many organizations working to combat child labor. By supporting these organizations, we can help to make a difference in the lives of children around the world.
Child labor is a serious problem that affects millions of children around the world. However, there are many things that can be done to address this problem. By providing quality education, raising awareness, enforcing laws, and supporting organizations, we can help to make a difference in the lives of children around the world.
What is child labour?
Child labour is the exploitation of children for economic gain. It includes work that is hazardous, interferes with education, or is harmful to the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral, or social development.
How many children are involved in child labour?
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are an estimated 152 million children aged 5 to 17 years engaged in child labour globally. Of these, 73 million are girls and 79 million are boys.
What are the worst forms of child labour?
The worst forms of child labour are those that are hazardous, involve forced labour, sexual exploitation, and trafficking. Hazardous work is work that is likely to harm the health, safety, or moral development of children. Forced labour is work that is performed under the threat of punishment or abuse. Sexual exploitation is the use of a child for sexual purposes, including prostitution, pornography, and trafficking. Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of persons by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the Consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
What are the effects of child labour?
Child labour has a number of negative effects on children, including physical and psychological harm, social exclusion, and lost opportunities for education and development. Children who are involved in child labour are more likely to experience health problems, such as Malnutrition, injuries, and exposure to hazardous substances. They are also more likely to suffer from psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Child labour can also lead to social exclusion, as children who are involved in child labour are often stigmatized and discriminated against. Finally, child labour can prevent children from receiving an education and developing their full potential.
What can be done to prevent child labour?
There are a number of things that can be done to prevent child labour, including:
Raising awareness of the problem of child labour
Providing education and training to children and their families
Creating decent work opportunities for adults
Strengthening labour laws and enforcement
Investing in social protection programs
What is the role of the government in preventing child labour?
The government has a key role to play in preventing child labour. Governments can:
Provide education and training to children and their families
Create decent work opportunities for adults
Invest in social protection programs
What is the role of businesses in preventing child labour?
Businesses also have a role to play in preventing child labour. Businesses can:
Adopt policies and codes of conduct that prohibit child labour
Conduct due diligence to ensure that their supply chains are free of child labour
Support programs that prevent child labour
Invest in education and training for workers
What is the role of civil society in preventing child labour?
Civil society organizations also have a role to play in preventing child labour. Civil society organizations can:
Raise awareness of the problem of child labour
Provide education and training to children and their families
Monitor and advocate for the implementation of laws and policies that prohibit child labour
Support programs that prevent child labour
What can I do to help prevent child labour?
There are a number of things that you can do to help prevent child labour, including:
Learn more about the problem of child labour
Talk to your friends and family about child labour
Support organizations that are working to prevent child labour
Buy products that are made in a way that respects children’s rights
Contact your elected officials and ask them to take action to prevent child labour
Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic of child labour:
Which of the following is not a right of the child? (A) The right to education (B) The right to work (C) The right to play (D) The right to be protected from abuse
What is the minimum age for employment in most countries? (A) 12 years old (B) 14 years old (C) 16 years old (D) 18 years old
What is the most common form of child labour? (A) Domestic work (B) Agriculture (C) Mining (D) Manufacturing
Which of the following is not a reason why children work? (A) To help their families (B) To pay for their education (C) To be able to buy things they want (D) To be able to escape poverty
What can you do to help prevent child labour? (A) Educate yourself about the issue (B) Support organizations that are working to end child labour (C) Talk to your friends and family about the issue (D) All of the above
What is the impact of child labour on children? (A) Children who work are more likely to be abused and exploited (B) Children who work are less likely to attend school (C) Children who work are more likely to suffer from health problems (D) All of the above
What is the impact of child labour on society? (A) Child labour can lead to social unrest and instability (B) Child labour can damage a country’s economy (C) Child labour can contribute to crime and violence (D) All of the above
What can governments do to help prevent child labour? (A) Pass laws that make it illegal to employ children (B) Provide free education and vocational training for children (C) Provide social safety nets for families so that they do not need to rely on child labour (D) All of the above
What can businesses do to help prevent child labour? (A) Ensure that their suppliers do not use child labour (B) Raise awareness about the issue of child labour among their employees (C) Support organizations that are working to end child labour (D) All of the above
What can you do as an individual to help prevent child labour? (A) Educate yourself about the issue (B) Support organizations that are working to end child labour (C) Talk to your friends and family about the issue (D) All of the above