how to stop child labour in india essay

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.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

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.”} }] }

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

Travelling Essay
Picnic Essay
Our Country Essay
My Parents Essay
Essay on Favourite Personality
Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
Essay on Knowledge is Power
Essay on Gurpurab
Essay on My Favourite Season
Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Shopping Cart

No products in the cart.

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.

This topic of “Child Labour – India’s Hidden Shame” is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination , which falls under General Studies Portion.

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.

Express Learning Programme (ELP)

Optional Notes
Study Hacks
Prelims Sureshots (Repeated Topic Compilations)
Current Affairs (Newsbits, Editorials & In-depths)
Ancient Indian History
Medieval Indian History
Modern Indian History
Post-Independence Indian History
World History
Art & Culture
Geography (World & Indian)
Indian Society & Social Justice
Indian Polity
International Relations
Indian Economy
Environment
Agriculture
Internal Security
Disasters & its Management
General Science – Biology
General Studies (GS) 4 – Ethics
Syllabus-wise learning
Political Science
Anthropology
Public Administration

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.

Prelims Sureshots – Most Probable Topics for UPSC Prelims

A Compilation of the Most Probable Topics for UPSC Prelims, including Schemes, Freedom Fighters, Judgments, Acts, National Parks, Government Agencies, Space Missions, and more. Get a guaranteed 120+ marks!

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.

GET MONTHLY COMPILATIONS

Blood Batteries- Role of EV in Child Labour

WOW this info was awesome

There was a problem reporting this post.

Block Member?

Please confirm you want to block this member.

You will no longer be able to:

See blocked member's posts
Mention this member in posts

Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

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.

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

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.

Master the art of essay writing with our blog on How to Write an Essay in English .

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.

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.

Also Read: Essay on Peer Pressure in 100, 200 and 350 Words

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.

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.

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu.

Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

CBSE Class 10th
CBSE Class 12th
UP Board 10th
UP Board 12th
Bihar Board 10th
Bihar Board 12th
Top Schools in India
Top Schools in Delhi
Top Schools in Mumbai
Top Schools in Chennai
Top Schools in Hyderabad
Top Schools in Kolkata
Top Schools in Pune
Top Schools in Bangalore

Products & Resources

JEE Main Knockout April
Free Sample Papers
Free Ebooks
NCERT Notes
NCERT Syllabus
NCERT Books
RD Sharma Solutions
Navodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2024-25
NCERT Solutions
NCERT Solutions for Class 12
NCERT Solutions for Class 11
NCERT solutions for Class 10
NCERT solutions for Class 9
NCERT solutions for Class 8
NCERT Solutions for Class 7
JEE Main 2024
MHT CET 2024
JEE Advanced 2024
BITSAT 2024
View All Engineering Exams
Colleges Accepting B.Tech Applications
Top Engineering Colleges in India
Engineering Colleges in India
Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu
Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main
Top IITs in India
Top NITs in India
Top IIITs in India
JEE Main College Predictor
JEE Main Rank Predictor
MHT CET College Predictor
AP EAMCET College Predictor
GATE College Predictor
KCET College Predictor
JEE Advanced College Predictor
View All College Predictors
JEE Advanced Cutoff
JEE Main Cutoff
MHT CET Result 2024
JEE Advanced Result
Download E-Books and Sample Papers
Compare Colleges
B.Tech College Applications
AP EAMCET Result 2024
MAH MBA CET Exam
View All Management Exams

Colleges & Courses

MBA College Admissions
MBA Colleges in India
Top IIMs Colleges in India
Top Online MBA Colleges in India
MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score
BBA Colleges in India
XAT College Predictor 2024
SNAP College Predictor
NMAT College Predictor
MAT College Predictor 2024
CMAT College Predictor 2024
CAT Percentile Predictor 2024
CAT 2024 College Predictor
Top MBA Entrance Exams 2024
AP ICET Counselling 2024
GD Topics for MBA
CAT Exam Date 2024
Download Helpful Ebooks
List of Popular Branches
QnA - Get answers to your doubts
IIM Fees Structure
AIIMS Nursing
Top Medical Colleges in India
Top Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Score
Medical Colleges accepting NEET
List of Medical Colleges in India
List of AIIMS Colleges In India
Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET PG
NEET College Predictor
NEET PG College Predictor
NEET MDS College Predictor
NEET Rank Predictor
DNB PDCET College Predictor
NEET Result 2024
NEET Asnwer Key 2024
NEET Cut off
NEET Online Preparation
Download Helpful E-books
Colleges Accepting Admissions
Top Law Colleges in India
Law College Accepting CLAT Score
List of Law Colleges in India
Top Law Colleges in Delhi
Top NLUs Colleges in India
Top Law Colleges in Chandigarh
Top Law Collages in Lucknow

Predictors & E-Books

CLAT College Predictor
MHCET Law ( 5 Year L.L.B) College Predictor
AILET College Predictor
Sample Papers
Compare Law Collages
Careers360 Youtube Channel
CLAT Syllabus 2025
CLAT Previous Year Question Paper
NID DAT Exam
Pearl Academy Exam

Predictors & Articles

NIFT College Predictor
UCEED College Predictor
NID DAT College Predictor
NID DAT Syllabus 2025
NID DAT 2025
Design Colleges in India
Top NIFT Colleges in India
Fashion Design Colleges in India
Top Interior Design Colleges in India
Top Graphic Designing Colleges in India
Fashion Design Colleges in Delhi
Fashion Design Colleges in Mumbai
Top Interior Design Colleges in Bangalore
NIFT Result 2024
NIFT Fees Structure
NIFT Syllabus 2025
Free Design E-books
List of Branches
Careers360 Youtube channel
IPU CET BJMC
JMI Mass Communication Entrance Exam
IIMC Entrance Exam
Media & Journalism colleges in Delhi
Media & Journalism colleges in Bangalore
Media & Journalism colleges in Mumbai
List of Media & Journalism Colleges in India
CA Intermediate
CA Foundation
CS Executive
CS Professional
Difference between CA and CS
Difference between CA and CMA
CA Full form
CMA Full form
CS Full form
CA Salary In India

Top Courses & Careers

Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
Master of Commerce (M.Com)
Company Secretary
Cost Accountant
Charted Accountant
Credit Manager
Financial Advisor
Top Commerce Colleges in India
Top Government Commerce Colleges in India
Top Private Commerce Colleges in India
Top M.Com Colleges in Mumbai
Top B.Com Colleges in India
IT Colleges in Tamil Nadu
IT Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
MCA Colleges in India
BCA Colleges in India

Diploma Colleges

Top Diploma Colleges in Maharashtra
UPSC IAS 2024
SSC CGL 2024
IBPS RRB 2024
Previous Year Sample Papers
Free Competition E-books
Sarkari Result
QnA- Get your doubts answered
UPSC Previous Year Sample Papers
CTET Previous Year Sample Papers
SBI Clerk Previous Year Sample Papers
NDA Previous Year Sample Papers

Upcoming Events

NDA Application Form 2024
UPSC IAS Application Form 2024
CDS Application Form 2024
CTET Admit card 2024
HP TET Result 2023
SSC GD Constable Admit Card 2024
UPTET Notification 2024
SBI Clerk Result 2024

Other Exams

SSC CHSL 2024
UP PCS 2024
UGC NET 2024
RRB NTPC 2024
IBPS PO 2024
IBPS Clerk 2024
IBPS SO 2024
Top University in USA
Top University in Canada
Top University in Ireland
Top Universities in UK
Top Universities in Australia
Best MBA Colleges in Abroad
Business Management Studies Colleges

Top Countries

Study in USA
Study in UK
Study in Canada
Study in Australia
Study in Ireland
Study in Germany
Study in China
Study in Europe

Student Visas

Student Visa Canada
Student Visa UK
Student Visa USA
Student Visa Australia
Student Visa Germany
Student Visa New Zealand
Student Visa Ireland
CUET PG 2024
IGNOU B.Ed Admission 2024
DU Admission 2024
UP B.Ed JEE 2024
LPU NEST 2024
IIT JAM 2024
IGNOU Online Admission 2024
Universities in India
Top Universities in India 2024
Top Colleges in India
Top Universities in Uttar Pradesh 2024
Top Universities in Bihar
Top Universities in Madhya Pradesh 2024
Top Universities in Tamil Nadu 2024
Central Universities in India
CUET DU Cut off 2024
IGNOU Date Sheet
CUET DU CSAS Portal 2024
CUET Response Sheet 2024
CUET Result 2024
CUET Participating Universities 2024
CUET Previous Year Question Paper
CUET Syllabus 2024 for Science Students
E-Books and Sample Papers
CUET Exam Pattern 2024
CUET Exam Date 2024
CUET Cut Off 2024
CUET Exam Analysis 2024
IGNOU Exam Form 2024
CUET PG Counselling 2024
CUET Answer Key 2024

Engineering Preparation

Knockout JEE Main 2024
Test Series JEE Main 2024
JEE Main 2024 Rank Booster

Medical Preparation

Knockout NEET 2024
Test Series NEET 2024
Rank Booster NEET 2024

Online Courses

JEE Main One Month Course
NEET One Month Course
IBSAT Free Mock Tests
IIT JEE Foundation Course
Knockout BITSAT 2024
Career Guidance Tool

Top Streams

IT & Software Certification Courses
Engineering and Architecture Certification Courses
Programming And Development Certification Courses
Business and Management Certification Courses
Marketing Certification Courses
Health and Fitness Certification Courses
Design Certification Courses

Specializations

Digital Marketing Certification Courses
Cyber Security Certification Courses
Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses
Business Analytics Certification Courses
Data Science Certification Courses
Cloud Computing Certification Courses
Machine Learning Certification Courses
View All Certification Courses
UG Degree Courses
PG Degree Courses
Short Term Courses
Free Courses
Online Degrees and Diplomas
Compare Courses

Top Providers

Coursera Courses
Udemy Courses
Edx Courses
Swayam Courses
upGrad Courses
Simplilearn Courses
Great Learning Courses

Child Labour Essay

Many children are forced to labour in a variety of dangerous and non-hazardous occupations, including agriculture, glass manufacturing, the carpet and brass industries, matchbox manufacturing, and household labour. Here are some sample essays on child labour.

100 Words Essay On Child Labour

Child labour is defined as the employment of children for any type of work that interferes with their physical and mental growth and denies them access to the fundamental educational and recreational needs. A child is generally regarded as old enough to work when they are fifteen years old or older. Children under this age limit are not permitted to engage in any sort of forced employment. Because child labour denies children the chance to experience a normal upbringing, receive a quality education, and appreciate their physical and emotional wellbeing. Although it is prohibited in certain nations, it has still not been totally abolished.

200 Words Essay On Child Labour

500 words essay on child labour.

Children are preferred for employment in many unorganised small industries because they are less demanding and easier to handle. Sometimes the children's own families force them into child labour because they lack the funds or are unable to provide for them.

These kids frequently live in poor, unsanitary circumstances with little access to school or medical care. These kids are also forced to live in seclusion and aren't permitted to play, engage socially, or make friends. Such a toxic workplace is difficult for kids and frequently contributes to mental illnesses like depression. These kids frequently use drugs and other substances, which worsens their physical and mental health.

Why Is Child Labour Prohibited?

The employment of children in a manner that denies them the chance to enjoy childhood, receive an education, or experience personal growth is known as child labour. There are many strong laws against child labour, and many nations, like India, have standards of imprisonment and fines if a person or organisation is found to be engaging in child labour.

Even while there are rules in place to prevent child labour, we still need to enforce them. Children are compelled to work as children owing to poverty and to help support their families.

Child labourers are either trafficked from their home countries or originate from destitute backgrounds. They are fully at the power of their employers and have no protection.

Causes Of Child Labour

Here are some reasons that lead to child labour:

Poverty | Child labour is a problem that is greatly influenced by poverty. Children in low-income households are viewed as an additional source of income. These kids are expected to help out with their parents' duties when they get older.

Illiteracy | One significant component that fuels this issue is illiteracy. Because they must invest more than they receive in return in the form of wages from their children, the illiterate parents view education as a burden. Children who work as labourers are subjected to unsanitary circumstances, late hours, and other hardships that have an immediate impact on their cognitive development.

Bonded Labour | Unethical businesses like using children as labourers over adults since they can get more work done from them and pay them less per hour. Children are forced to work in this sort of child labour in order to pay off a family loan or obligation. Due to bonded labour, poor children have also been trafficked from rural to urban areas to work as domestic help, in tiny manufacturing houses, or simply to live as street beggars.

How To Protect Children From Child Labour?

Multiple facets of society will be required to support efforts to abolish child labour. The effectiveness of government initiatives and its personnel is limited. Therefore, we ought to come together and channelize our efforts in the right direction to stop child labour. Here are some of the ways to stop child labour–

Notice | Be cautious when eating at a neighbouring restaurant or shopping at a neighbourhood market. Inform local authorities or call CHILDLINE 1098 if you see any children working as child labourers.

Know The Law | The first step in preventing child labour is to understand the constitution's role in child protection. Knowing the laws gives you the knowledge you need to combat the threat and alert those who use child labour.

Educate And Aware | Child labour may be avoided by educating others about its negative impacts, especially business leaders and employers. Discuss with them how child labour affects children's physical and emotional health, and tell them what the laws and punishments are.

Conversation With Parents | If you are aware of a parent in your area who is forcing his or her child to work as a youngster, speak with that parent and explain the dangers that child labour poses to the future of their offspring and highlight how education and skill building may protect their child's future.

Enrolment In Schools | In your community, you may establish a setting that encourages learning for street kids. You may assist disadvantaged youngsters in learning and self-education by raising money to create libraries and community learning centres in your area. Additionally, you may help the parents enrol their kids in school.

A country cannot advance if its children are living in abject poverty. To stop the exploitation and employment of children in certain industries, it is essential to identify these sectors and create the required legislation and laws. This should be society's and the government's shared duty.

Applications for Admissions are open.

Aakash iACST Scholarship Test 2024

Get up to 90% scholarship on NEET, JEE & Foundation courses

JEE Main Important Physics formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Physics formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

PW JEE Coaching

Enrol in PW Vidyapeeth center for JEE coaching

JEE Main Important Chemistry formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Chemistry formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

TOEFL ® Registrations 2024

Accepted by more than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries worldwide

PTE Exam 2024 Registrations

Download Careers360 App's

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

Certifications

We Appeared in

Skip to main content
Skip to secondary menu
Skip to primary sidebar
Skip to footer

Study Today

Largest Compilation of Structured Essays and Exams

Essay on Child Labour Causes, Effects, Solution & Prevention

July 24, 2020 by Study Mentor 7 Comments

Table of Contents

Child Labour – Essay 1

Introduction.

Life of the little ones is destroyed when they work in their childhood. Child labour is a common term that you hear in your everyday life. It is defined as work that deprives a child of his/her childhood and harms their mental and physical wellbeing.

According to ILO, any child below the age of 14 should not be involved in work for remuneration. It is a matter of concern in developing countries, like India, where there is a lack of awareness and education about a child’s health. They neglect the fact that children are the hope of their future.

It is a common practice to employ those children as domestic helper, shopkeeper’s assistants, etc. Child labor in the agriculture sector is common. Of course, it would be great when children could graduate a college and even keep in touch with a writer from ib extended essay writing service but, unfortunately, according to the conditions, their parents make them work in the fields instead of studying.

According to them, studying is not beneficial in any way, and their children should help them earn money. Their parents implant this mindset in their children also, and the child also believes the same thing. This mindset hampers the growth opportunity and development of the country.

Causes of Child Labour

The main reason for child labor to prevail in India is poverty. More than half of the country’s population belongs to the poor class. It usually happens when parents cannot afford the studies of their children, so they make them earn from a very tender age. It becomes a need to survive. Because in its absence, they won’t have enough money to have their daily bread.

Lack of Proper Education

Even after years of Independence, the children in our country are deprived of the fundamental right of education. It is a problem in the rural areas where there is no facility of education, and if something is available, it is miles away from their home.

Due to such administrative issues, child labor is so prevalent in India. At times children are forced to opt-out of school and end their studies because of financial problems. The worse affected are low-income families.

The Lure of Cheap Labour

There are shopkeepers, factory owners, and companies who employ these children so that they can pay them less. In this way, they hire labor and make a profit as well. They make these children work more than an adult would do as they can be easily manipulated and influenced, which leads to their exploitation.

Disease or Disability

There are families where the child is a sole earner as either his parents are dead or they are too sick to work. In such a situation, the parents have no other option but to send their child to work and earn the bread for the family. So, the children, instead of going to school, go to factories to work and financially support their family.

Consequences of Child Labour

Poor mental and physical health.

Children are very vulnerable at a young age. It affects their mental and physical health. Some studies show due to these works, children have stunted growth.

They also lose their innocence at an early age. The kind of care and attention a child needs growing up disappears because of the demands made from them.

Sexual Abuse-

There is sexual exploitation of both girls and boys. Some girls end up taking drugs, infected by HIV, STDs sometimes early and unwanted pregnancy. They get into the trap of prostitution or gets raped. In low-income families, girls are sold or married to older men by parents for some money.

No Education-

According to statistics, in developing countries, one-third of the child population fails to complete four years of their education. With the short-term benefits, they miss the educational qualifications and skills, which makes them lead the life of poverty. It is the lack of training that hinders their growth opportunity.

Physical Abuse-

There are various types of physical abuse, which involve cuts, burns, fractures, excessive fears, and nightmares. These consistent injuries leave an everlasting impact on a child’s mind.

To cope up with these fears and pressures, they end up abusing drugs. Ir tends to make them mature faster than usual. Childhood dreams get replaced by bitter realities.

Challenges in Controlling Child labor

Unclear laws-.

Child labor is not uniform. It takes place in many forms and types, depending on the kind of work a child has to do. The laws are vague, which does not help in combating the crime of child labor.

There are no strict guidelines that would protect the children from such horror. It is due to such complexity and no clear instructions that it becomes difficult to save a child from the grip of this crime.

Rehabilitation Problem-

The issue faced by the government and NGOs is that they lack the rehabilitation facility which the child might need. With no proper facilities available, they can fall on the grips of labor again.

For them to have a fresh start, those children need to feel the control of their new lives. These children need proper guidance and counseling to get better and achieve things in life.

Lack of Awareness-

Education will be the key to combat child labor. It is because of the lack of proper education and awareness; the families fall in this trap. There is a need for a proper awareness campaign to educate parents about the pitfalls of child labor.

The importance should be given on giving quality and relevant education. The mindset has to be changed in training young children to stop child labor.

Child labor act as a hindrance to the economic and social development of the country. It has to be resolved to have a better future. People and governments should come together to fight this evil.

Every child has a right to grow and prosper. It is the age of enjoyment and getting proper schooling. The children should not just be a mere means of having economic benefits for their family. It has many ill effects on a child’s mental health.

It leaves an impact which will haunt them all their adult life. So, to free our children from such evil, we need to make every effort to shape the future of children better. One has to create ways to help those kids upskill and support them to make sure the transition happens.

Child Labour – Essay 2

Child labour has been gripping the world at a very fast pace. But in India , this rate is quite alarming. This rate needs to be controlled as soon as possible not only in India but globally.

What is Child Labour?

In a broad sense, child labour simply means employing children illegally at workplaces. This is strictly prohibited under law and those who are caught employing children who have not attained working age will be treated by law.

A small girl is working at construction area

Image Credit: Source

Though rules and regulations are not strict in India, the day is not far off when we would see our country working towards bringing an Empanelment that work for the rights of children.

Meaning & Definition of Child Labour

The actual definition of child labour can be technically explained as the fearless violation of the child rights act, wherein the act provides protection for the child and safeguards him by providing him with safeguards he is entitled to.

When child rights are not followed properly and the society misuses them to employ them in conditions unfit for their working, it is grossly equivalent to child abuse.

Child abuse and violation of child rights at workplace lead to a scenario that is discussed in the later part of this article.

Children under the age of 17 are strictly prohibited to take part in any kind of economic activity that will provide those wages.

In many cases they may be employed under worst conditions and may not even receive wages. So being part of a work environment, even if it’s for a few hours under the age of 17 is grossly treated as child labour.

Different types of Child Labour

In India, child labour occurs in various forms. Some of the most common types of child labour include bonded child labour , child labour in the mining industries , in manufacturing sectors, in domestic jobs, in fireworks industries and the worst of all, in the trafficking menace.

If we employ a small girl to work as a maid in our house and the girl happens to be under the age of 17, then that is treated as child abuse and we would be booked under Child Labour Act .

We can find many young boys and girls working in the fireworks and perfumed incense stick industries.

These kinds of tasks are easily performed by young boys and girls and they don’t have to be paid too much.

So, cheap labour is a cause of child labour in India.

In the manufacturing sector, children can be easily employed to do not-so-tough jobs like packaging work. These are identified as simple and can be done by small age groups with a little training.

Hence, not very high skills are required to employ children in this category. It works in both ways for the industries.

Firstly, the cost of employing a child would be definitely less compared to employing an adult, secondly, there is no training cost involved in teaching a child how to package things.

In the fireworks industry, particularly in the southern regions of India, there are huge factories employing children to work on fireworks.

Children are employed to coat the fireworks with a chemical substance that is not just harmful for their skin but may be hazardous to their health too.

In case of scented incense sticks, children employed in these types of industries tend to inhale the chemical coated on top of the incense sticks. Long term inhaling of these substances can cause injury to the respiratory system.

The bonded labour system is a banned system, for both adults and children. But in many remote parts of our country, these practices continue to exist and even children are made part of the inhuman practise.

A certain less known fact lies in employing children in cigarette industries. This is not talked about openly in the public since smoking itself is considered injurious to health.

Smoking ads have been banned by the government recently. Due to these strict norms, nobody discusses in the open about children being employed in their industries.

Rolling nicotine rolls and placing a tobacco may seem easy for any child to do, but the detrimental effects on thousands of children is hardly ever thought of.

So, these are some of the types of child labour that we commonly see in India. There are many more depending on the type of industry a particular child is associated with.

Child Labour in India

In India, child labour is a major problem because of the many reasons.

The fact that child labour is easily available and cost-effective puts it at the top most criteria for people to employ children blindly without taking note of their future.

For example, if we go to any suburban hotel in any part of our country, we are sure to spot at least one helper or cleaner being a guy under the age of 17.

Rules are made to prevent child labour acts. But the correct implementation of these rules is far from reality. There is no check in place. There are no officials who would check if these rules are strictly enforced.

So in India, the situation is more likely that rules and laws made are only for purposes of printing on paper and not beyond that.

The correct implementation of these rules would come to light when people start thinking about the children they have employed.

If we take our car to a service centre, we can find a whole lot of boys doing service work for the cars, cleaning them up, checking up the parts of the vehicles, etc.

The cheap labour these small guys are entitled to works as a double whammy for both the employer as well as the working guys. The employer makes a profit by employing small guys at cheap rates.

Guys whose families are stooped in misery and financial breakdowns are forced to go to work for making an earning to run the family.

Poverty and financial imbalances in society are therefore, trouble creators and their effects are seen directly on children.

Child labour laws in India

Some of the rules and acts enforced against carrying out child labour are given below:-

Free and fair education to all citizens of India in the age group of 6 to 14. Education for children in this bracket is declared compulsory too. (This is mentioned in the fundamental rights and directives of state policy.)

Child labour (Prohibition and regulation act) was formed in 1986 to protect children against working in factories under the age group of 14.

Persons found to be employing such children will be imprisoned for 3 months (extendable up to a year) and a fine imposed for INR 20,000.

A national policy on child labour was formulated in the year 1987.

The article 24 of the Indian constitution prohibits child labour in India.

The factories and Mines act also have special provisions to protect the rights of children.

These are just some of the rules and regulations present in India to protect children against child labour.

But the issue is about the effective implementation of these acts and ordinances which has not taken place as yet. If there were strict enforcement, children would not be employed so easily in various work forces.

People do not tend to the rules with fear, they know very well about the lenient nature of these regulations. Hence, approval or disapproval of these entitlements do not come into the picture in most of the cases.

Child Labour – A Big Social Menace in India

India is plagued by many social evils that bring a very bad picture to the nation and people belonging to the country.

Due to a certain section of the population that involves children in such activities, the entire society faces threat from becoming part of illegal activities.

Since long, there have always been cases of child labour thronging the country and have been a very bad impact on the society.

Today, looking at the facts and figures we can still claim that the situation hasn’t improved much in spite of strict enforcement of law and the judicial grounds.

It is high time we look into these aspects with deeper perspectives and set our thinking forces into action.

Child labour is a practice where children engage in economic activities on a full time basis. The practice deprives children of their childhood and is harmful to their physical and mental development.

The constitution of India, in its fundamental rights and Directive principles of state policy prohibits child labour below the age of 14 years. (Source Wikipedia )

Young children are enrolled in many business activities, house hold activities or forced to work in industries, totally ruining their future.

At a time when they should be attending school and play with other children, they are being enrolled in activities that deprive them of the very essence of childhood.

Many colors of child labour

There are countries which are facing worst form of child labour in the form of child slavery.

In such cases, they use children for illicit activities such a drug trafficking, exposing them to much hazardous work that is likely to harm the health, safety and morals of children.

It has been noticed that many industries such as coal mines and others that prepare chemicals like silicon, aluminum etc. employ children to carry out harmful tasks in their work areas.

This turns out to be even worse for the children as they end up suffering non curable disease and contract infections that may sometimes prove fatal also.

Child labour is not just an issue, it’s a social menace, right from the law makers to the normal citizen, everyone is involved in helping this social issue grow from its seeds to a big tree.

It has plagued India since time immemorial when strict enforcement’s were not prevalent.

Today, we find many people openly involving people in child labour activities and being proud of it as they are not afraid of lawmakers and are quite happy about doing so.

There are several reasons behind the causes of child labour and over population being one of the biggest and major factors.

Other possible causes could be poverty, lack of social security, lack of proper education or no education, no visible alternative measures to make a livelihood.

Worst of all, the high prevalence of low income groups in a developing economy like India where rigid labour laws and numerous strict regulations are rampant make it even easier for the growth of child labour in the organized sector.

Girls are the ones who are the most deprived and underprivileged among all children.

Descriptive reasons for child labour in India

Overpopulation.

The population of India has been growing at an alarming stage and will soon cross China , which is currently holding the top position in terms of most populous country of the world.

In such a scenario where an underprivileged family has a minimum of three to four children, there is not much scope for people to earn well.

Hence, they make their children their own desirable medium to earn daily wages for the family.

It’s a normal scenario that people having more than two children (in fact people are preferring just one kid these days) are facing difficulties in planning for their kids’ education, clothing and jobs.

Children who belong to the poorer sections are forced to help their parents and siblings financially for their livelihood.

In developing countries unemployment is a major problem and on account of this, they cannot afford even the basic of facilities like food, shelter, clothes etc.

Children can be found employed in mines and industries, apart from other skilled areas like artisan jobs, etc. They have to work to make a livelihood out of it and to generate income for their family.

People who belong to the underprivileged sections of society tend to believe that the more number of off springs they produce, the more the working hands they receive to fulfill their daily needs.

In an educated society, the scenario is quite different. People understand the importance of attending school and the primary reason for getting employed in government jobs or in other good firms and MNCs.

On the other, illiterates undermine the value of education and do not realize the importance of going to school and further seek employment in a government job or in other good positions.

To see their children come out in flying colors in the future, they do not have big dreams or aspirations, hence they are limited to their own cringing world.

Early marriage

Being unemployed are one of the major issues in India, one of the major reasons being early marriage and also contributing to the factor of overpopulation.

It is practically impossible to create jobs or offer employment opportunities to all citizens of the country. On account of this, children are forced to help parents for their income and seek out on child labour.

Expensive higher education

For providing quality education , parents have to spend more money to get their children enrolled in good schools.

Today, many children don’t attend school for the sake of education, but rather stay at home losing out on precious time, simply because they cannot afford expensive education and the lack of important degrees and skill sets makes them unskilled in job fronts.

This could also play a major role in increasing child labour cases.

Lack of primary education

The Government of India has provided right to education to every child of India till the child reaches the fifth grade in school.

Government schools offer education at low and affordable rates to make education reach every child, so that child labour can be handled till a certain level and to avoid them in indulging in any economic activities.

But still poor people don’t understand the value of education and make their children working unsafe zones. These factors are depriving them from their basic compulsory education.

Effects of Child Labour

Letting children to get involved in age inappropriate activities leads to many bad influences on the child.

Some children suffer a bad childhood because their parents create a hostile environment for them, some others are unprivileged because they cannot afford good education and a basic livelihood, and some curse their own being as they are handicapped off their very existence by a section of anti-social elements in the country.

A quick peek into some of the damaging effects will provide a better idea:

Loss of quality childhood

Life does not offer a smooth ride at every stage. It is said that childhood is the golden period of one’s life and we cannot afford to get it back whenever we want it back.

Children should be allowed to play with their friends and make their childhood memorable.

Child labour, as a deadly evil, deprives children of a quality childhood as children engage themselves in hazardous work areas like mines and industries for their livelihood and to generate income for their family.

If children start working at such an early age they can in no way enjoy their childhood or have pleasant memories of a good childhood.

Health issues

If young children are forced to work at their tender ages in mines and industries, they are prone to various health issues and hazards, while they won’t even be having stamina to face mental and physical problems.

Working in mines and factories can lead to serious respiratory problems and can become lifelong victims of such dreaded diseases.

If children work in the mines and industries for their livelihood and to help their parents and siblings for generating money, they obviously cannot go to school for their education.

Education can help them to be self dependent and walk on their own feet in the society. Sadly, if we are not educated and are unskilled, we would not be employed by any good hirer and have to lead a life full of struggles.

Indulging in criminal cases / activities

As children remain uneducated they lose out on their sense of what is good and what is bad and many of them naturally tend to indulge in criminal activities.

This is a serious issue and of late, government is taking up strict measures to deal with it.

Many juvenile cases have been reported and are increasing at a very fast rate. It’s the moral responsibility of parents and teachers to take care of their children, guide them properly and monitor them.

Emotional harassment

When children who are not very privileged to be part of a larger civilized society see other children in a better picture playing, making merry and enjoying them, they are filled with thousands of stress creating questions about their existence and economic situation.

They are emotionally disturbed. And these emotionally disturbed children easily get influenced by criminal activities and take to anti-social elements very early in life.

Possible Solutions for Child Labour

Every problem has a possible solution. Yes and even a big menace like child labour can be stopped and prevented in a large country like India. It all depends on changing mindsets and evaluating situations from time to time.

Strict enforcement’s of laws together with rapid action committees to bring about execution of laws will be torch bearers for a better tomorrow and can throw light in the aspect of changing many innocent lives.

Let us now explore some possible solutions here:

Free education

If free education for one and all is made mandatory by the government, then to some extent it helps to check child labour.

This is especially helpful for parents who have very poor financial aids to allow their children to seek education and in the long run, benefit the society at large, especially the impoverished and underprivileged groups.

Mid-day meal schemes can also can be provided to children for their daily food needs. Good educational support creates an independent standing for a person in his community and in the society he belongs to.

If a good awareness is created among citizens for eliminating child labour then it can be stopped to a large extent.

Parents should be aware of the benefits of education and should send their children to school for their formal educational process.

In this way, they can become self dependent and on par with others in the society, landing them in good jobs for their sustenance and livelihood.

To bring about awareness, social campaigns should be created and inform citizens about the problems of child labour and related health issues.

Empowerment to poor people

Children from poor families are most likely to get involved in child labour cases. They are exploited by rich and influential people for managing their household work.

It’s not right on the part of affluent people to bring in helpless people from their communities and involve them in age inappropriate chores.

It goes against laws and if we also take up initiatives to empower them enough, then they cannot be exploited by such persons .

Strict Child Labour law

Indian Government on their part has done a fascinating work in carrying on their mission of eliminating child labour from India.

They have made strict rules such as Factory act and mines act which prohibit any children to work in such hazardous environments.

Plus they have also made rules for free education and mid-day meals in various states of India which has currently garnered an overwhelming response from all sections of society.

Moral education to parents and children

There is an urgent need for making education mandatory, not only for children but equally for parents to bring in a bigger perspective regarding the upbringing of their children.

They should be well aware of the consequences of child labour and how it can affect their child’s life.

Social Awareness

The citizens, on moral grounds should not rope in younger children less than age of 14 and force them into household activities or other workshop related work.

In fact if anyone sees any person misbehaving with children or forcefully employs them, they should be immediately taken under the action of law and such persons should be immediately reported to the authorities.

Children are god’s most precious gifts to human being. It’s not good to ruin their lives by employing them at inappropriate ages.

We should allow them to enjoy their childhood to the fullest. A well groomed child will become a responsible citizen of the country and will respect others and same will be carried forward to the coming generations.

People should come forward and join hands in removing child labour from India completely. It’s not a single day job but if we all work together towards the cause, then nothing is Impossible.

Let’s hold our hands together and take pride in making our nation child-labour free and take our nation a step forward from developing to a developed stage.

Child Labour Facts & Statistics

Some of the facts and figures revealed under the latest census are

Over 27 million children do not attend school in India. Some are school drop outs, some of them do not attend school because their families don’t encourage them, and some of them are forcibly made to seek employment to support families.
Out of this huge number, around 10 million children spend every day in their lives by being employed in some or the other factory or industry.
Almost 70% of children employed in child labour activities are in the age group of 5 to 14.
Almost 20 to 30% of these children are from below poverty line families.
Almost 43% of the 27 million children are employed as domestic helps in houses.

How to Stop Child Labour

Some of the possible steps that help in creating improved awareness about child labour and its prevention is discussed below:

By educating the public about the ill effects of child labour. Child labour is illegal. This statement should be etched in the minds of people who propose to employ children at their workplaces.

People should not only be told that child labour is illegal, but they should be enlightened about the fine and imprisonment that they attract if they happen to enforce child labour in their companies.

If we really want to stand up against child labour, then we must join hands with an NGO or a social service center that fights for the rights of children.

We must make effective use of child lifelines and if we spot children anywhere being employed for work, we must immediately call up the help center and aid them in rescuing such children.

Child labour quotes

Children are the most precious gifts from God. We have to nurture them and provide them opportunities to fly with bright colors.

We have to help them shape their future. We must secure their future by giving them good education. Below are some quotes against child labour:

“Child labour is not just a menace; it is the result of a weakened thought process.”
“Eradicate child labour else the country may soon see a degradation of rich talent going in for a waste”.
“Child labour destroys the future of children; the future of the country is at stake due to this”.
“Employing children for free and cheap labour is equivalent to moral destruction of many innocent lives of the country”.
“Think of your own children being part of a child labour act, wouldn’t that make you arise and awake to bring about a new change in the society?”

Child Labour slogans

These days there are many public campaigns carried out by various organizations and volunteers to act against child labour.

People come out in the open and are no longer confined to the comfort of their rooms to voice their concerns. They use effective tools of technology to validate their thoughts and act accordingly.

We can see many organizations shouting slogans to make people aware about this deadly menace:

“Stop Child labour at once, children need better lives.”
“Why child labour, why not child education?”
“ Freedom for children illegally involved in child labour”
“Children need freedom for their development, bonding them under child labour is a crime”.
“Child rights and child freedom are gifts from god; let us not invade their territories”.

A Case study on child labour

In a particularly interesting case, a small town boy from West Bengal accidentally came into the hands of an agent who used children for easy money making.

He would stealthily catch hold of children or take them away from their parents and cheat them. He would actually steal children and once children are in his clutches, he would harass them and leave them homeless.

He was operating in a big network and his circles were present in south Indian regions.

He grabbed this particular boy named Ranjith who was just 14 years then and took him over from a small town in West Bengal all the way to Kerala. In Kerala, he had connections with a small time gold shopkeeper and handed over this guy to him. Ranjith saw the worst times of his life.

The shopkeeper made him work for almost 14 hours a day. He was left with no food and no sleep for days together.

He was physically and mentally abused at many times. The shop owner brutally hit him if he disagreed to doing his tasks.

He was morally disgraced and the boy entered depression gradually. But, he mustered courage and on the pretext of going out for some other reason, he found a way to escape from the clutches of the shop keeper.

Not familiar with the place in Kerala, he ended up somewhere at Kozhikode. The police at Kozhikode saw this particular guy wandering homeless and planned to rehabilitate him properly.

The personnel acted with concern and took him to a rehabilitation center where he was further referred to a child care center at Calicut.

During his stay at Calicut, the child began to feel better and started improving. With company of other children and friendly staff, he began to open up on his past experiences.

During one of his counseling sessions with an expert in child care, he briefly talked about his abusive master in the form of gold shop owner. He further threw light about the agent operating in circles and how he was nabbed by him.

The personnel at the child care center took up this matter seriously and soon informed the police about it. The police acted swiftly.

They sat out to nab the agent. 3 police personnel forming a group, including a lady sub inspector hatched out a plan to nab the agent.

The agent was found out by police sources and was contacted by the lady sub inspector who told him that she was actually a teacher.

She made the agent believe her that she wanted money. In return for money, she was ready to hand over Ranjith who was under his custody till some time ago.

The tricks of the police had worked. They contacted the agent again and told him the venue from where he could come and collect Ranjith.

The agent gave in. Instead of him, he sent one of his men to the pre-discussed spot. The police personnel, all three of them, arrived at the spot in plain clothes and successfully nabbed the agent’s man.

The agent’s man, upon strict interrogations, revealed his own identity and gave vital clues about the agent’s whereabouts.

Finally, the agent was tracked down and nabbed. Technology also played a major role in tracing the agent and nabbing him. The culprit was given his due punishment and booked under law.

The gold shop owner was also booked under the child labour act and was fined severely.

Thorugh several interrogations, it was finally revealed that around 6 children were trapped by the agent in total and he was part of a bigger network.

The network was traced down and all the six children were freed from their clutches. They were provided proper rehabilitation under the child care center in Calicut.

Ranjith was luckily sent back home and re-united with his family in the small town at West Bengal.

Implications drawn from the case study

Not everybody is as lucky as Ranjith. In most of the cases, children go unnoticed in crimes and become part of bigger networks that deport them to different parts of the world.

They can hardly be traced back or re-united with their families. Many of their identities would be erased and they would be totally blacked out.

In Ranjith’s case, it was the police which played the most crucial role in not just rescuing his life, but also providing a new life to six other children who were part of the trap.

The right attitude towards rescuing children and giving them their due rights provided the right steps in the right direction.

The case had many turning points but the police handled them with their intelligence. We salute such people and applaud them in our society. They are a true asset to the country and its citizens.

We may also come across similar child care centers operating in different parts of the country in various different ways for the welfare of children.

Some of the noteworthy mentions include CRY (Child Rights and YOU), Child line India foundation, Save the Children Foundation , etc.

We should understand that child labour is a problem, not just in developing countries like India but exists in developed countries as well.

The police cannot arrive at every workplace to check if there is existence of child labour. People and their mentalities should change to put an overall end to this issue.

People should be educated; they should be enriched with morals and values to stop this menace. They should be morally made responsible for their own acts and they should be made to own their mistakes.

http://www.childlineindia.org.in/1098/CaseOfChildLabour.htm

Reader Interactions

December 31, 2021 at 11:44 pm

Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…

January 4, 2022 at 7:45 pm

Hello. impressive job. I did not anticipate this. This is a fantastic story. Thanks!

January 5, 2022 at 1:46 pm

Good website! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a great day!

January 8, 2022 at 1:46 pm

Wow, marvelous blog layout! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for? you make running a blog glance easy. The overall look of your website is excellent, let alone the content!

January 24, 2022 at 7:02 pm

I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is needed to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100 positive. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

March 22, 2022 at 1:30 am

Very efficiently written article. It will be helpful to anyone who utilizes it, including yours truly :). Keep up the good work – can’r wait to read more posts.

March 30, 2022 at 3:44 pm

Just want to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is simply nice and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top Trending Essays in March 2021

Essay on Pollution
Essay on my School
Summer Season
My favourite teacher
World heritage day quotes
my family speech
importance of trees essay
autobiography of a pen
honesty is the best policy essay
essay on building a great india
my favourite book essay
essay on caa
my favourite player
autobiography of a river
farewell speech for class 10 by class 9
essay my favourite teacher 200 words
internet influence on kids essay
my favourite cartoon character

Brilliantly

Content & links.

Verified by Sur.ly

Essay for Students

Essay for Class 1 to 5 Students

Scholarships for Students

Class 1 Students Scholarship
Class 2 Students Scholarship
Class 3 Students Scholarship
Class 4 Students Scholarship
Class 5 students Scholarship
Class 6 Students Scholarship
Class 7 students Scholarship
Class 8 Students Scholarship
Class 9 Students Scholarship
Class 10 Students Scholarship
Class 11 Students Scholarship
Class 12 Students Scholarship

STAY CONNECTED

About Study Today
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions

Scholarships

Apj Abdul Kalam Scholarship
Ashirwad Scholarship
Bihar Scholarship
Canara Bank Scholarship
Colgate Scholarship
Dr Ambedkar Scholarship
E District Scholarship
Epass Karnataka Scholarship
Fair And Lovely Scholarship
Floridas John Mckay Scholarship
Inspire Scholarship
Jio Scholarship
Karnataka Minority Scholarship
Lic Scholarship
Maulana Azad Scholarship
Medhavi Scholarship
Minority Scholarship
Moma Scholarship
Mp Scholarship
Muslim Minority Scholarship
Nsp Scholarship
Oasis Scholarship
Obc Scholarship
Odisha Scholarship
Pfms Scholarship
Post Matric Scholarship
Pre Matric Scholarship
Prerana Scholarship
Prime Minister Scholarship
Rajasthan Scholarship
Santoor Scholarship
Sitaram Jindal Scholarship
Ssp Scholarship
Swami Vivekananda Scholarship
Ts Epass Scholarship
Up Scholarship
Vidhyasaarathi Scholarship
Wbmdfc Scholarship
West Bengal Minority Scholarship
Click Here Now!!

Mobile Number

Have you Burn Crackers this Diwali ? Yes No

भाषा : हिंदी
Classroom Courses
Our Selections
Student Login
About NEXT IAS
Director’s Desk
Advisory Panel
Faculty Panel
General Studies Courses
Optional Courses
Interview Guidance Program
Postal Courses
Test Series
Current Affairs
Student Portal

Prelims Analytica
CSE (P) 2024 Solutions
Pre Cum Main Foundation Courses
1 Year GSPM Foundation Course
2 Year Integrated GSPM Foundation Course
3 Year Integrated GSPM Foundation Course
2 Year GSPM Foundation with Advanced Integrated Mentorship (FAIM)
Mentorship Courses
1 Year Advanced Integrated Mentorship (AIM)
Early Start GS Courses
1 Year GS First Step
Mains Specific
Mains Advance Course (MAC) 2024
Essay Guidance Program cum Test Series 2024
Ethics Enhancer Course 2024
Prelims Specific
Weekly Current Affairs Course 2025
Current Affairs for Prelims (CAP) 2025
CSAT Course 2025
CSAT EDGE 2025
Optional Foundation Courses
Mathematics
Anthropology
Political Science and International Relations (PSIR)
Optional Advance Courses
Political Science & International Relations (PSIR)
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Interview Guidance Programme / Personality Test Training Program
GS + CSAT Postal Courses
Current Affairs Magazine – Annual Subscription
GS+CSAT Postal Study Course
First Step Postal Course
Postal Study Course for Optional Subjects
Prelims Test Series for CSE 2024 (Offline/Online)
General Studies
GS Mains Test Series for CSE 2024
Mains Test Series (Optional)
PSIR (Political Science & International Relations)
Paarth PSIR
PSIR Answer Writing Program
PSIR PRO Plus Test Series
Mathematics Year Long Test Series (MYTS) 2024
Indian Economic Services
Anubhav (All India Open Mock Test)
Prelims (GS + CSAT)
Headlines of the Day
Daily Current Affairs
Editorial Analysis
Monthly MCQ Compilation
Monthly Current Affairs Magazine
Previous Year Papers
Down to Earth
Kurukshetra
Union Budget
Economic Survey
Download NCERTs
NIOS Study Material
Beyond Classroom
Toppers’ Copies
Social Justice

Child Labour in India: Causes, Consequences and Solutions

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

is the single biggest cause of this issue in India. Children from poor families often have to work to help support their families financially. They may work in factories, on farms, or in the informal economy.

Many children in India do not have access to good schools. When children do not have access to quality education, they are more likely to work instead of going to school.

The informal economy is made up of small businesses and self-employed workers. The informal economy often employs them because it is difficult to enforce child Labour laws in the informal sector.

Most parents are unaware of the physical, mental, and psychological ill consequences of this issue.

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:

: This exposes children to hazardous working conditions, physical and mental abuse, and long hours of Labour, which can result in injuries, illnesses, and developmental issues.

Working children are often denied access to education, leading to a lack of basic literacy, limiting their future opportunities, and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

: It disrupts normal childhood development, depriving children of playtime, social interaction, and emotional well-being, hindering their physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.

It violates the fundamental rights of children, denying them the right to education, protection, and a safe and healthy environment.

It keeps families trapped in a cycle of poverty, as children’s earnings contribute minimally to the household income and hinder their long-term economic prospects.

It disrupts family and community dynamics as children are forced into work instead of receiving proper care and education. This can lead to a breakdown in social structures and intergenerational poverty.

: It deprives children of education, leading to a less skilled workforce, reduced productivity, and limited opportunities for economic advancement.

It results in the loss of potential human capital as children are denied education and skill development. This diminishes the nation’s capacity to compete globally and achieve sustainable development goals.

The physical and psychological consequences lead to increased healthcare and social welfare costs for the nation. Governments must allocate resources to address these issues, diverting funds from other critical areas.

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.

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.

Featured Post

NEXT IAS (Delhi)

Old rajinder nagar.

27-B, Pusa Road, Metro Pillar no.118, Near Karol Bagh Metro, New Delhi-110060

Mukherjee Nagar

1422, Main Mukherjee Nagar Road. Near Batra Cinema New Delhi-110009

NEXT IAS (Jaipur)

NEXT IAS - Plot No - 6 & 7, 3rd Floor, Sree Gopal Nagar, Gopalpura Bypass, Above Zudio Showroom Jaipur (Rajasthan) - 302015

NEXT IAS (Prayagraj)

31/31, Sardar Patel Marg, Civil Lines, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh - 211001

NEXT IAS (Bhopal)

Plot No. 46 Zone - 2 M.P Nagar Bhopal - 462011
8827664612 ,

Child Trafficking in India: Facts, Causes, Global Initiatives, Indian Laws and...

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.

One comment

Pingback: Child labour menace in India| #1 Best Sociology Optional Coaching

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

IAS Preparation
Topic of the Day
National Child Labour Project Scheme

National Child Labour Project Scheme - Indian Polity Schemes

The National Child Labour Project Scheme is one of the schemes introduced by the Central Government as a solution for the current situation of child labour in India. It is a topic which comes under ‘vulnerable sections’ and is important for the Governance and Social Justice segments in the UPSC Syllabus .

What is Child Labour?

Child Labour refers to the exploitation of children for any form of work that would deprive them of gaining equal access to education and a normal childhood.
This results in the victimized child being used mostly for physically, socially and mentally harmful work.
India currently is home to more than 10 million child labourers, despite the various legislations and efforts taken in this direction by the Indian Government.
The elimination of child labour is essential to achieve the set developmental goals of the government by 2030.

To know more about other Government Schemes , visit the linked article

Government Laws against Child Labour

The government has laid down multiple rules governing the enforcement of child labour and is taking active measures to eradicate this practice.
Gurupadswamy Committee, in 1979, was a statutory committee formed by the Central Government of India, which found that the inextricable reason behind child labor in India was linked directly to Poverty. The committee’s findings and analysis were then utilized to enact the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 by the union government.
Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act, of 2016 is an amendment of the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 which has placed a complete prohibition on the employment of underage children, especially in hazardous situations or occupations. It has also interconnected the prohibition of employment with access to free education as per the Right to Education Act of 2009 .
India was the 170th member of the International Labour Organisation ( ILO ) to agree with Convention No. 138 . This convention requires member parties to set a minimum age under which no person should be employed. India also agreed with Convention No. 182 which requires state parties to eliminate and prohibit any forms of extreme child labour activities such as trafficking, use of children in armed conflict, prostitution and in illicit activities.
INDUS Project: Government of India and the US Department of Labour had jointly collaborated to form the INDUS Project which aimed at preventing and eliminating child labourers, especially from hazardous occupations. It was developed under ILO-IPEC( International Labour Organization- International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour).
National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme: This is a scheme by the central government of India to facilitate rehabilitation of child labourers and to aid their introduction to formal education with vocational training at NCLP Centres.

National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme

It is a Central Government Scheme which has been devised to tackle the issue of child labor is a more effective manner by focussing on specific target ideas, identifying the victims, withdrawing them from hazardous situations, focussing on their rehabilitation and meanwhile spreading awareness on the functionalities of NCLP and the other agencies on child labour to the families of the child labourers.

Objectives of NCLP:

Identification of children in child labour in the project area.
Withdrawing the identified children.
Preparation of the withdrawn children for introduction to mainstream education by providing necessary vocational training.
Ensuring that they’re benefitted by the multitude of services provided by the different governments and agencies.
Identifying all adolescents and withdrawing them from the project area.
Facilitating training programmes for such adolescents through the skill development schemes which are currently existing.
It aims at raising awareness amongst the target communities and the other stakeholders regarding child labour about the functionality of NCLP.
To create a Child Labour Monitoring, Tracking and Reporting System to stay updated with the situation.

Given below are a few links that are relevant for the upcoming UPSC Civil Services Exam –


	National Commission for Protection of Child Rights

NCLP Target Group:

The scheme focuses on all the child workers below the age of 14 in the target areas, adolescent workers below 18 years of age engaged in hazardous occupations and also on the families of the child workers in that specific target areas.
The children would be eased into local schools after providing necessary bridging programmes.
The adolescent children in hazardous work would be given skill enhancement training and shifted to non-hazardous work.
The delivery of income/stipend, employment or social security to the families of child workers will be ensured by the government. The tracking of the rescued child workers will be done to follow up for evaluation of impact.
The child labour laws will be stepped up according to the requirement in the required area.

NCLP Highlights/Features:

The Government contributes to the identification, classification, eradication, and withdrawal of children and adolescents from hazardous occupations.
Successfully mainstreaming the rescued children into proper local schools and affiliating them with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
The adolescents will be provided with other skill enhancement training and transferred to permitted occupations.
Better awareness programs for the education of communities and the Indian public as a whole with the help of enhanced abilities.
Compensatory measures for the families who are releasing their children from working and allowing them to attend training or schools.
Mothers of such victimized children are often organized into self-help groups (SHG’s).

NCLP Implementation:

The scheme was successfully implemented through joint collaboration with civil society, state and district administration.
The responsibility is jointly handed to the respective state governments and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The scheme has been initially launched in areas of high cases of child labour and specific District Project Societies (DPS’s) have been set up at the district level to ensure proper implementation of the scheme at al levels.
District Project Society is also responsible for the stipend payment for the children and their families.

PENCIL PORTAL

A unique online portal was launched in 2017, by the government, called PENCIL (Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour). It had been created under the NCLP scheme:

To ensure effective and easy implementation of the scheme.
It consists of a Child Tracking System and a Complaint corner.
The portal can connect the Central Government to respective State Governments, districts, to all project societies and finally to the general public.
The portal allows anyone to file a complaint regarding child labour.
The received complaints are automatically assigned to the concerned Nodal officer by the system immediately upon receiving the complaint to take further actions which might be necessary.
The portal has registered a total of 1010 complaints of which 361 have been updated as resolved by the Nodal officers.

Benefits of NCLP

The total number of children mainstreamed through Special Training Centers set up under the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme, is 13.63 lakh, since the inception of the scheme.

Major benefits that will accrue through this scheme are –

Contribute to the identification and eradication of all forms of child labour;
Contribute to the identification and withdrawal of adolescents from hazardous occupations and processes in the target area;
Awareness about the ill effects of child labour
Successful mainstreaming into regular schools of all children who have been withdrawn from child labour and rehabilitated through the NCLPS
Adolescents withdrawn from hazardous occupations /processes to have benefited from skills training wherever required and linked to legally permissible occupations
Better informed communities, specific target groups and the public at large as a result of the Social Mobilization Programme
Enhanced capacities to address the issue of child labour through training of NCLP staff and other functionaries.

National Child Labour Project Scheme – Indian Polity:- Download PDF Here

UPSC Questions related to NCLP

What is the national child labour project.

It is a central government scheme which focuses on identifying, withdrawal and easing them into the rehabilitation of the children and adolescent workers. The children are ensured access to formal education along with vocational training while the adolescent workers are shifted from hazardous occupations to a permissible occupation with sufficient skill training.

What are the steps taken by the government to stop child labour?

The government of India has undertaken multiple steps to focus on the elimination and prevention of child labour. The implementation of Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act, of 2016, Right to Education Act of 2009, the INDUS Project and the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme were all done in the direction to prevent and eliminate the issue of child labour. The government has also partnered with various agencies for creating awareness with regard to the same issue in the public.

What is the punishment of child labour?

Any person found employing an adolescent (14-18 years of age) or a child (below 14 years of age) in an illegal occupation can be punished with jail time (6-24 months) and/or a fine of Rs. 20,000-Rs. 50,000. Jail time of 1-3 years is given to a person if they’ve been found to indulge in child labour again after having been punished once.

You can get more preparation materials for the IAS Exam and additional articles by referring to the links given below:

IAS 2024 - Your dream can come true!

Download the ultimate guide to upsc cse preparation, register with byju's & download free pdfs, register with byju's & watch live videos.

Special Education

How To Stop Child Labour In India

Ever wondered how to stop child labour after observing a poor kid toiling in the harsh sun instead of being at school? Learn about the causes of child labour and the legal measures to prevent it.

Child labour is rampant in India and across the world. According to UNICEF , 10.1 million children are working as child labourers in India. Shockingly, this constitutes for 13% of the total workforce in the country. ParentCircle strongly believes little hands are meant to play and not work, and takes a look at this social issue to find practical ways to stop it. To know how to stop child labour, let's first understand the different types and reasons for child labour.

Types of child labour

The different types of child labour that are prevalent in India are:

Industrial child labour in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, poultry, textile, fireworks and jewellery
Bonded child labour in mines, stone quarries, etc.
Commercial child labour in small businesses like tea shops, hotels and retail outlets
Domestic child labour in households

Child labour: Causes and effects

The following are some of the common causes of child labour in India:

Poverty and illiteracy of parents
Disability or addiction of parents
Poor socio-economic conditions of the families
Lure of money
Limited access to proper education
Lack of awareness of the ill-effects of child labour

Child labour has some serious effects on the child, his family and society. Children employed from a young age are highly vulnerable to diseases due to the hazardous work conditions that prevail almost everywhere. The increasing number of children at work results in a decline in educated and skilled labour, and has a huge negative impact on the nation's overall progress. Child labour is a great hurdle for the social and economic development of the nation.

How to stop child labour in India

To know about the ways to stop child labour in India, we reached out to Priti Mahara, who is a Policy Research and Advocacy Director at Child Rights and You (CRY). Here we bring you the key points of the interview.

What is precisely meant by child labour?

International Labour Organization (ILO) defines child labour 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.'

According to the Indian legislation, a 'child' is anyone who is under 14 years of age, and an 'adolescent' is anyone between 14 and 18 years of age.

The legislation seeks to prohibit and regulate child labour as per the following criteria:

For children under 14

No child under 14 can be employed or permitted to work in any occupation or process. However, there are exemptions to the rule, which allow a child to:

1. Help her family or family enterprise - The vagueness of this exemption makes it challenging to differentiate 'work' from 'help' as the child is allowed to help in family enterprises after school hours or during vacations.

2. Work in the audio-visual entertainment industry as an artist or work in sporting activities as an athlete - This includes working in films, sporting events, television, and so on. However, this work is only permitted as long as it doesn't affect the child's education. Moreover, this exception excludes circus work, which means children are not allowed to work in a circus, even as artists.

For children between 14 and 18

The Indian law divides work into hazardous and non-hazardous categories as identified by the Technical Advisory Committee constituted under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. The Schedule to the Act enlists 18 occupations and 65 processes that are hazardous to children's lives and health. No adolescent is permitted to work in any hazardous occupation and process.

However, the act does permit adolescents to work in the 'non-hazardous' category with certain conditions to safeguard them:

A maximum of six hours of work are permitted per day, with at least one hour of rest in between
One full day off per week
The employer should follow health and safety rules for adolescents working for them

We need to keep in mind that allowing children to work can affect their education, health, protection and developmental needs. It also obstructs their right to play and leisure, which are crucial to the developmental needs of all people up to the age of 18 years. Balancing work/help with education is always a challenge for children. So, even though children and adolescents can work within certain conditions, the adults around them should be responsible enough to not exploit them. Additionally, they should help the children balance work without compromising education and leisure.

What are some ways in which we can volunteer to help stop child labour?

Creating a network of people working towards a common cause is always helpful. You can also pledge your support to organisations such as CRY, and volunteer with them. In the end what matters is sustenance of your interest and your motivation to raise awareness about this issue when possible. Start small, dream big.

What are some ways for a layperson to support the war against child labour?

Do not hire a child.
Talk to/report people employing child labour.
Support children's right to education, through volunteering and donations.
Do not support acts like children begging or performing in a roadside circus.
Be empathetic and not sympathetic towards the issue.
Understand that it's a violation of child rights and cannot be justified in the name of poverty.
Support and facilitate employment for the families of child labourers, and help them with social protection schemes.
Raise awareness amongst child labourers and their families on the social protection schemes that can help them.
Create awareness about the issue in your community.

What should we do when we see an instance of child labour?

If you encounter instances of child labour around you, ask the employer some details about the child such as the age of the child or why he is working. You can educate him about the practice being harmful for children irrespective of their age, and try to sensitise him against it. In case you need to report such an employer, you can call the Child Line number 1098 to rescue the child. You can also approach the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) or the District Collector/District Magistrate concerned, if and when a violation is encountered.

Proactively, you can visit the neighbourhood slums to understand the prevalence of child labour instances. A better awareness of the places these children are coming from and their pain points will help us suggest more holistic, realistic and appropriate solutions.

Education is the key. Convincing the parent and the child about the importance of going to school is critical to support continuing efforts to stop child labour.

Be informed. Knowledge is your strength.

What polices and schemes does the Indian government have in place to deal with child labour?

The legislation that deals with child labour in India is known as the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, treats children found working in contravention of labour laws and children begging or living on the street as children in need of care and protection (CNCP). Section 76.1 talks about the punishment for employing a child to beg, and is stated as follows: 'Whoever employs or uses any child for the purpose of begging or causes any child to beg is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to a fine of one lakh rupees.'

According to the website of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, 'the National Child Labour Project ( NCLP ) Scheme seeks to eliminate all forms of child labour.' It plans to do so by finding child labourers and withdrawing them from work, prepping them for schooling and training them for future jobs. The scheme will also ensure that all the government processes for this are working in unison in order to benefit the children and their families.

It plans pretty much the same for adolescents doing hazardous work. The scheme also aims to raise awareness and create an effective monitoring and tracking system to make sure that children are not extorted. NCLP is presently operational in 313 identified districts across 21 States in India.

How effective are these policies and schemes?

It's hard to talk about the effectiveness of these policies and schemes with unclear data and a lack of funds to carry out the schemes properly. Like many other programmes designed for the rehabilitation of child labourers, the major challenges to the effectiveness of the National Child Labour Project are:

Poor quality of surveys conducted
Failure to include a significant number of female child labourers in surveys
Lack of provisions to enroll all identified child labourers in the NCLP schools and current duration of education in NCLP schools, etc.

Convergence between different departments like labour, education, social welfare, food and public distribution, SC/ST welfare, minorities welfare and home affairs is required for effectively implementing NCLP as well as the law.

As per a central government written statement in the Parliament in February 2019, a total of 10,826 cases of violation of the Child Labour Act were reported across the country in the past four years. Only 56% cases (6,032) went to the stage of prosecution and conviction attained in just 25% cases (2,701) of the total reported. So, it's fair to say that a lot needs to be done before we can claim these schemes to be effective.

How can we vote in a way to endorse the best policies and schemes for child labour?

It'd be wise to be aware of the manifesto before voting to see which political parties are most inclined towards children. Also, a quick check on the historical deliverance rate of a particular political party towards children might help. Along with this, knowledge of basic child rights issues will help determine if the promises made on manifestos are the actual needs of children.

How can we be more aware of which companies and establishments hire child labour?

We don't have credible sources to identify which companies or firms employ child and adolescent labour. The only way to know about which firms do this would be to witness them employ child labour. You can become aware of the various child labour laws along with the safety precautions for children and adolescents who work. This will help you understand if the employment is legal or not.

So, as a first step, equip yourself with the knowledge of these laws. And to quote Rippan Kapur, founder of Child Rights and You (CRY), "The responsibility of change lies with all of us." Being responsible citizens and compassionate human beings, let's start our crusade to end child labour.

About the author:

Written by Jasmine Kaur on 20 June 2019; updated on 18 September 2019

Looking for expert tips and interesting articles on parenting? Subscribe now to our magazine. Connect with us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Join our Circles to share, discuss and learn from fellow parents and experts!

Comment Flag

Abusive content

Inappropriate content

Cancel Update

7 Easy Kid's Coding Languages

Learning to code is one of the skills that our children will need for a better future. Here are a few apps which can make your child future-ready by teaching her coding.

18+ • 11 Mins Read • 11.6K Views

Different Types Of Health Insurance Plans

With different types of health insurance plans, which medical insurance policy do you think suits your family's needs? Read on to know about various health insurance policies and their features.

Pre-schooler to 18+ • 9 Mins Read • 6.4K Views

The Value of Inclusive Education and its Benefits

Despite the huge strides our country has made in education there is still limited access for children to quality education. Here's how inclusive education can bring about a positive change.

Communities

Join a community to interact with like-minded parents and share your thoughts on parenting

2.5K members • 60 Discussions

Curiosity, tantrums and what not!

1.9K members • 52 Discussions

The Active and Enthusiastic Middle Years

11-18 Years

1.8K members • 72 Discussions

From Self-consciousness to Self-confidence

Just for Parents

4K members • 160 Discussions

A 'ME' space to just BE!

Discussions Topics

Share your thoughts, parenting tips, activity ideas and more

Hobbies and Entertainment

New member introduction.

Family Fun Challenges and Activities

Gadget Free Hour
Discussions

Share your thoughts, tips, activity ideas and more on parenting

10 Health Benefits of Gooseberry

Celebrity chef ranveer brar on creating cherished memories with children through food, the first skill that children need to acquire is change readiness: dr bhavanishankar, nagging tooth pain bothering your child....

A compilation of the most-read, liked and commented stories on parenting

3 Simple And Effective Strategies To Raise An Independent Thinker

5 Mins Read • 26.2K Views

7 Ways Assistive Technology Can Help Children With Autism

10 Mins Read • 5.2K Views

Women's Laws And Rights In India—What Your Sons And Daughters Must Know

6 Mins Read • 36.9K Views

Everyday Teaching Moments For Your Child

10 Mins Read • 2.6K Views

Instilling Leadership Skills In Your Child

9 Mins Read • 851 Views

The Story of Narakasura

• 1.7K Views

Essay on Child Labour for Students in English [500 Words Essay]

December 10, 2020 by Sandeep

Essay on Child Labour: Illegal exploitation of a child for financial or other gains is known as Child labour. It is a crime to employ children below the age of 14 years. According to UNICEF, 13% of the total workforce in India are children. Child labour is not only illegal but also detrimental & unfortunate for a society.

Essay on Child Labour 500 Words in English

Below we have provided Child Labour Essay in English, written in easy and simple words for class 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 school students.

“Child slavery is a crime against humanity. Humanity itself is at stake here. A lot of work still remains, but I will see the end of child labour in my lifetime”. – Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Laureate

Child Labour is defined as “work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential, and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development,” by Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child. It refers to the illegal exploitation of a child for financial or other gains. Data from UNICEF shows that more than 10 million children in India are part of the workforce. This constitutes 13% of the total workforce.

The term is often used by news channels or movies to talk about children who are forced to work from a budding age. Children from poor families are forced to work and fend for themselves and their families. It is a crime to send or employ children below the age of 14 in any industry or factory. Thus, various restrictions and limitations have been put on children who work. The legally acceptable age for employing children is 15.

Child Labour is not only unfortunate but also detrimental to society. It robs from children, the opportunity to go to school, and getting an education. The right to education is a fundamental right of every child. It also prevents them from growing up in a conducive environment. Further, such children are burdened by responsibilities and hence cannot have a proper childhood. Research has also proven that their physical and mental development is hampered. Though illegal, the menace is far from being eradicated.

Causes of Child Labour

It is important to identify the causes of child labour to be able to deal with it effectively. Some causes are region-specific, while others are universal. Here are a few common causes of child labour:

Increasing levels of unemployment and poverty, especially in developing countries, are the primary causes of child labour. About 1/4th of the world’s population is currently categorised under the global poverty line. When families do not have enough money to sustain, they force children into work. If adults cannot find work or are sick, the responsibility of earning a livelihood comes down to children.
Lack of social security pushes people into a cycle of poverty, which inevitably leads to child labour. The increasing rich-poor divide and privatisation of the organisation have led to the concentration of wealth in the hands of few. Small children are in situations where they must work in order to earn two meals a day.
The lack of awareness about the importance of education and very little accessibility has also played a role in contributing to child labour. Without the opportunity to obtain an education, children are pushed into working. Uneducated parents think of short-term benefits and send their children to work so they can survive in the present.
Industries are not efficiently regulated. Multiple factories prefer children as labourers because they have to pay lesser to children than to adults for the same work. This decreases labour expenses for those industries. Many factories which possess significant health hazard, like the firecrackers industry also prefer children. Children are also easier to manipulate and influence. Thus, factory owners often take advantage of children’s circumstances for their profit.
Children are also sent to work for non-monetary payments like rice or wheat. This is due to the vicious nature of hunger. Often, after the death or illness of a parent, the eldest children are forced to take up the burden of the rest of the family. Most of the social welfare schemes in developing and developed countries do not reach the poor due to factors like corruption. Thus, the poor are often left directionless, with child labour being necessary for their survival.
Another major reason is the lack of effective implementation of child labour related laws. Many industries openly indulge in employing children without fear of law. The police and law enforcement agencies have failed miserably at being able to create fear about the use of children for labour. Even if the state tracks down child labour rackets, it is unable to provide an alternative to child labour for those families. This pushes children back to work.
Due to the increased demand for child labourers, child trafficking rackets often sell children to people who will extract work from them. Begging is yet another form of child labour that is often forced and ignored.

Measures to Eradicate Child Labour

As a society, it is our collective responsibility to find methods by which we can get closer to eradicating child labour. This requires significant support and effort from the government, law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and the general public. Here are some ideas to think about:

Creation of communities or unions that are specifically aimed at eradication of child labour can be effective. This can be a citizen initiative supported by the government. These communities’ sole objective will be to identify child labourers and find ways to rehabilitate them. It can also further indulge in involving law enforcement agencies to ensure that the guilty are punished.
Creating social awareness about the presence and downfalls of child labour is necessary. Once people understand the problems of child labour, they can be instigated to boycott any shop or establishment that hires children. This way, these industries can be discouraged from employing child labourers.
Education should be a nation’s priority. Economic and military development should not come at the cost of social wellness schemes. The poor should be made aware of the benefits of education, along with ensuring that every village and town has access to free and compulsory education.
Creation of employment opportunities is also essential to combat child labour. If an adult can earn sufficient income for the family, the need to send the children to work is reduced. This involves, in particular, the creation of unskilled labour. A country must also take measures to reduce the rich-poor divide.
Population control measures are also necessary in order to ensure that we reduce family sizes. This leads to a family having lesser mouths to feed. NGOs and the government must give family planning attention.
Effective and strict implementation of laws is necessary to ensure that factory owners do not try to hire child labourers. Measures to combat child trafficking are also significant. The government must focus on the depth and long-term impact of the problem and create practical and enforceable laws.

“When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses,” said Carol Bellamy. It is true that we cannot estimate the real number of child workers in the country. But it is important that we, as a society, take responsibility to acknowledge, identify, and combat the problem.

10 Lines on Child Labour Essay

Child labour refers to the exploitation of children by forcing them to work or taking advantage of poor children.
It interferes with their ability to have a normal happy childhood and can lead to trauma.
A lot of child labourers are victims of child trafficking and are also exposed to abuse.
Although child labour is illegal, it still takes place in sectors that are unmonitored or left unregulated.
A lot of the work that child labourers are forced to do can be dangerous and detrimental to their physical and mental health .
In such cases, businesses are basically taking advantage of helpless and engaging in immoral acts.
A lot of these businesses choose child labourers because they either have to pay them very less or sometimes not at all.
The people put in charge of making sure the children work are often very cruel to them and hand out punishments if they do not work according to their requirements.
Because it is unmonitored, the children are forced to work for long hours without breaks and are fed very little food.
Child labour is still a prevalent issue in society today, and that’s why it is important to monitor business practices carefully.

High contrast
Our history
Children in India
Our partners
Where we work
Frequently asked questions
Press centre

Search UNICEF

Protecting children without family care, preventing family separation and strengthening family-based alternative care for children without parental care in india.

Prity Tanti, 18 yrs, member of the adolescent girls club speak about the nutrition food to her club members at Anandabari Tea estate in Dibrughar district of Assam.

Child labour and exploitation
Available in:

Family is the most nurturing, caring and safe environment for a child's growth and development. Children living away from parental care are one of the most vulnerable and at-risk groups of children. However, In India, there are large numbers of children living without parental care, many of them in childcare institutions or living on the streets, at transport terminals, children workers/ labourers, children on the move, victims of human trafficking and children convicted of crimes, amongst several others. It also includes children who are in an abusive family environment or are abandoned by their parents. Risks of family separation are exacerbated by social breakdown, conflict, poverty, unsafe migration, and disability. A nationwide review of Child Care Institutions in 2018 by the MWCD found 370,227 children in need of care and protection and 7,422 children in conflict with the law living in CCIs. In April 2020, at the time of the Supreme Court of India's order to deinstitutionalize children due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 227,518 children in need of care and protection in institutional care and 8,614 children in conflict with the law. However, despite efforts to promote non-institutional care in India, family-based care has picked up at a limited pace in the country. The Government of India is committed to promoting family-based care for all children. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act 2021 emphasizes these principles and institutionalization as a last resort. The guidelines of Mission Vatsalya articulated this vision and commitment and increased the focus, visibility, funding, and emphasis on preventing family separation and promoting a safe, nurturing, and protected environment for children's holistic development. UNICEF has supported state governments in developing and implementing innovative models of family-based alternative care, including foster care and kinship care, across several states. In collaboration with state governments, UNICEF is also developing strategic action plans to deinstitutionalize and prevent family separation. This also includes strengthening families through various social protection schemes and services. UNICEF has also supported aftercare for care-leaving youth through the mobilization and collectivization efforts that have led to the formation of a National Care Leavers Network and linkages with the private sector for job readiness and vocational training. These models have immense potential to be scaled up and replicated to strengthen family-based alternative care in the country. UNICEF's collaboration with 17 state governments enhanced the work on preventing family separation, family-based alternative care, deinstitutionalization, and aftercare support to children. To shift the focus of child protection from response to prevention and from institutional to family-based care, UNICEF collaborates with state governments to develop a comprehensive plan and guidelines for care reform on deinstitutionalization and promoting Family-Based Alternative Care (FBAC). Working across states and national levels, there has been a significant shift in the willingness to transition to family and community-based alternative care systems, necessitating a re-assessment and revision of current positions and job profiles within the child protection system, along with a revision of the knowledge, skills and competencies required to fulfil those roles. Through its interventions, UNICEF is partnering with the government across states with development, planning, training, capacity development and monitoring of results on deinstitutionalization and Family Alternative Care. Understanding the necessity to develop evidence, convene partners, and innovate models to promote the protection of children without parental care. To institutionalize knowledge building, sharing and learning, UNICEF supports the India Alternative Care Network. UNICEF's efforts to improve case management systems through building capacities and support family strengthening services have led to increased placements in family-based alternative care, family tracing for restoration and identification of children who are vulnerable to abuse, violence and exploitation.

Explore more

Stolen Summers

Why Play is Crucial for a Happy Me (and You!)

Kavya Tadvi ( 3 years) shares a special bond with her grand parents Vechanbhai and Bhuriben (grand mother) .

More Than Fun and Games: How Play Shapes Kavya’s life.

The Tadvi family shows how playful interaction strengthens family bonds and fuels early development through Project “PA PA PAGLI"

तनाव को कम करने में मददगार होते हैं खेल

खेलना महज मौज-मस्ती और सीखना नहीं होता, यह बच्चे के विकास का आधार होते हैं

Parenting Month advocates for play for children's well-being

A pandemic cannot justify child labour

Covid-19 has increased the risk of child labour. here are five concrete steps that civil society can take to protect vulnerable children..

Amidst these ‘visible’ problems, there are other issues that have remained ‘invisible’. One such issue is the effect of the pandemic on children, specifically, an increased risk of child labour .

COVID-19 has made children more vulnerable to child labour

The numbers related to child labour in India were bleak even before the pandemic. Census 2011 data suggests that the total number of child labourers in India between 5-14 years of age is 4.35 million (main workers) and 5.76 million (marginal workers)—a total of 10.11 million . Further, the total number of adolescent labourers in India is 22.87 million , bringing the total (in the age group of 5-18 years) to around 33 million.

Related article: A day in the life of: A child protection volunteer

The ongoing pandemic has augmented the existing causes of child labour, as well as added new ones.

First, children are forced to work because family incomes are not enough to survive on. With many people losing their jobs due to COVID-19, the financial crises being faced by families has increased manifold. These families will need extra pairs of hands to earn to provide two meals a day, leading to more children entering the economy or working on family-owned enterprises and farms.

Second, children are considered cheap labour, and with businesses and enterprises facing massive financial losses, the demand for cheap labour is going to increase. Due to reverse migration from urban centres, there is also going to be a shortage of adult labour. Children, especially adolescents, will be increasingly in demand to fill this gap.

Third, the pressure on children staying at home, especially girls, will be to contribute to household chores and sibling care. More and more girls will be pulled further away from education and into managing the household.

image of child standing and looking at a stack of bricks-child labour

The closure of schools will lead to a gradual detachment from education, especially for those children who cannot access online education. | Picture courtesy: Flickr

Fourth, with every livelihood crisis, the risk of trafficking increases . In India, a large number of children are already trafficked for labour. Due to reverse migration caused by the pandemic, a large number of children have returned to their villages. And given the livelihoods crisis already underway in rural areas, the children who are not tracked will become more vulnerable to trafficking. Children in overcrowded relief camps, quarantine centres, and those returning home with their parents are also at increased risk of being trafficked.

The recent changes in labour laws in the country will further weaken law enforcement when it comes to child labour.

Fifth, the closure of schools will lead to a gradual detachment from education, especially for those children who cannot access online education. This detachment will eventually lead to dropouts among children, which in turn will lead to them entering the workforce.

To add to these, the recent changes in labour laws in the country will further weaken law enforcement when it comes to child labour. With a view to boost the economy, states such as Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Assam have amended the Factories Act, 1948 through an ordinance, to allow companies to extend a factory worker’s daily shift from eight to 12 hours per day. Most of these states also have a high burden of child and adolescent labourers. Though the recent changes do not affect child labour legislation per se, they may fuel an increase in demand for adolescent workers who are likely to be paid lower wages in hazardous and exploitative work conditions, due to their vulnerability and poorer bargaining power as compared to adults.

It is time for civil society to act

Now, more than ever, is the time to be proactive about making child labour a visible issue, to initiate dialogues around it, to bring plausible solutions to the table, and to start working towards them. While there are gaps that need to be plugged by the government, there is also a lot that civil society can do.

With presence on the ground and familiarity with communities, nonprofits are well-placed to support and strengthen government efforts, especially when it comes to identifying vulnerable children. They can conduct rescue operations in line with the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s protocols . They can also help the government build awareness about the issue, the legal provisions available, and children’s entitlements; as well as act as channels to amplify children’s voices. Additionally, they can assist vulnerable families and their children access social protection measures.

Compared to the actual number of child labour cases, the number of complaints made and FIRs filed remain quite low in India (only 464 cases were registered in 2018). Nonprofits and other civil society organisations can take up the mantle of making as many complaints about child labour as possible. Complaints related to child labour can be made directly to authorities such as the district collector, via Childline by calling at 1098, on the government portal PENCIL , or through statutory bodies such as the National or State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights or Child Welfare Committees (CWC). A larger number of complaints will also allow nonprofits to make stronger appeals to the administration to strengthen rescue processes and better implement compensation and rehabilitation schemes related to child labour.

Nonprofits also have an important role to play when it comes to building evidence around child labour. They can do this by conducting research and surveys in their intervention areas, as well as analysing available secondary data in an in-depth manner to examine issues related to child labour. This will strengthen and inform government policies and programmes and help address the issue holistically.

Related article: “We have failed our children today”

A proven way to prevent child labour is to ensure that no children are left out in accessing education. There are many ways that civil society organisations can enable this. Recently, a headmaster in Jharkhand installed loudspeakers at various spots in the village so that children could attend classes from different locations. As another example, we, at CRY, have partnered with Mobile Vaani and are using interactive voice response (IVR) technology to drive awareness campaigns about health and nutrition issues in remote areas of Odisha and Bihar. Nonprofits can track the academic progress of children in schools and ensure that they are not pushed out of education systems.

Nonprofits can play a critical role in the rehabilitation process for children rescued from child labour. They can provide psycho-social support to children during court proceedings or run compensation programmes for them. They can also take efforts to ‘mainstream’ children who are rescued from child labour, for example, by getting them enrolled in schools.

Child labour does not only lead to lost childhoods. Since most of these children work in difficult, often exploitative, environments, their overall health and nutrition also suffers, leaving them vulnerable to various illnesses. Perhaps the first step in curbing the rise of child labour is to acknowledge that it is a problem. We need to accept that no pandemic, no economic crisis, and no extraordinary circumstances can ever justify children being exploited. Only then can sustainable change happen.

Explore this report on the impact of COVID-19 on child labour by UNICEF and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Read about the impact of COVID-19 on human trafficking and recommendations for action.
Learn about urgent interventions undertaken to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on child labour.
Read what the government needs to do to protect children during COVID-19, here and here .
Understand and use the government portal, PENCIL to complain about cases of child labour that you come across.

For the past five months, our screens have been flooded with distressing imagery of one catastrophe after another: From the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable communities, to cyclones […]

Puja Marwaha is CEO of CRY (Child Rights and You). She joined CRY in 1994, and was appointed CEO in February 2010. Her work is focused on creating an organisation that attempts to foster a passion for children, a high degree of individual accountability to children, and a firm belief in every person’s potential to bring change for children. Prior to CRY, Puja worked with Citicorp. She is an Aspire India fellow, a board member at VANI, and serves on the jury of the Ashoka Fellowship.

Skip to main content
Skip to secondary menu
Skip to primary sidebar
Skip to footer

A Plus Topper

Improve your Grades

Paragraph On Child Labour 100, 150, 200, 250 to 300 Words for Kids, Students and Children

February 7, 2024 by Prasanna

Paragraph On Child Labour: Child labour is a pressing problem in the country of India. There is a vicious cycle of poverty that triggers the need for child labourers in the country. There are various kinds of poverty, absolute poverty and relative poverty are just some parts of it. The country’s spectrum of poverty is so broad that it increases the number of children labourers manifold.

You can read more Paragraph Writing about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Paragraph On Child Labour – 100 Words for Class 1,2,3 Kids

Child labour is the use of children in producing goods and services. They are employed by the producers at minimal wages, which makes them susceptible to violence and any unjust activity. They are paid minimal wages and are made to work for almost nine hours in a day. The procedure of converting them to child labour is easy. The parents themselves want the children to get involved in such activities. These parents cannot generate the basic income necessary for sustaining themselves. The parents are helpless. However, some parents do not want to bear the burden of having too many children and giving their last child to these factory owners.

Paragraph On Child Labour – 150 Words for Class 4,5,6 Children

Child labour is generated in our country as an offshoot to the vicious cycle of poverty. The cycle begins with a low level of investment. The per capita income in a developing country like India is low. This means that most of the people do not get enough food to survive on for the first few years of living. This gives them lower nutrition levels, and the quality of child labour is hence severely low in our country. It is below average, and making good with such below-average labour in a labour surplus economy is tedious. This again increased the need for money in e lowest if the society and they put in their children into the harsh world to earn a living for themselves. These children are often subjected to tremendous brutality and abuse at the hands of those that employ them. They are kept under inhuman circumstances and work massive shifts.

Paragraph On Child Labour – 200 Words for Class 6,7,8 Students

Child Labour has been a pressing problem in India. It has been written in several papers that child labour only pushes the economy into another equilibrium. This equilibrium is bad. The other one is also not good for a developing country like India. The equilibrium consists of children not working; it keeps the economy in the vicious cycle of poverty. The cycle cannot be done away with without the investment if the Government. This investment also has to be substantial.

The Government of most developing countries does not have the means to have such colossal investment necessities out before them. Several households re caught up in the trap of low income. These households do not have a subsistence level of food and provisions to survive with. The parents also work very hard in most cases. However, individual children are often trafficked from these situations. They are sold as bonded labour and made to stay in more stringent conditions. The situation becomes traumatizing for the children. The parents are also never finding these missing children.

Paragraph On Child Labour – 250 to 300 Words for Classes 9, 10, 11, 12 and Competitive Exams Students

Child Labour is the broad term under which we can fit the attempt to rob a child of their childhood. It snatches from the child their untapped potential and only harnesses very little of the energy that the child possesses. It is harmful to the child and stunts their mental as well as physical development. It surely scars the child for life. It is an immoral practice and tampers with the development process of the child. The child is left scarred for life. The amount of emotional pressure it puts on them is unimaginable. The other children who work in the same facility are also subjected to tremendous violence and are kept in unfavorable conditions. Since they grow up looking at these atrocities, they become harmful adults too.

A large section of these child labourers is found to be of unsound mind when they grow up. Some of them may even turn out to be criminals. So the impact of living in such conditions is massive. The repercussions of being in such an environment are traumatizing, to say the least. It interferes with the proper education procedure that these children deserve to get. Their schooling is often stopped midway. Pushed into the harsh world, the child finds it difficult to cope—the forms of child labour include any form of slavery-like bonded labour and the likes of it.

Child sexual abuse also stems from such claustrophobic situations. These child labourers are often made to beg on the streets. They are trained for this in such a way that no one would be able to understand that they aren’t actually beggars. These children are out in harsh conditions and often have to work inhuman hours. They aren’t given proper food, and the payment is minimal too. Child labour has been banned in several countries. The Indian Government has time and again tried to curb the extent of child labour but all to vain. This happens mostly due to the problems that the household faces.

Paragraph On Child Labour - 250 to 300 Words for Classes 9, 10, 11, 12 and Competitive Exams

FAQ’s on Paragraph on Child Labour

Question 1. Which organization looks after giving these Child Labourers justice and respite?

Answer: The International Labour Organisation works with justice and respite related to child labour.

Question 2. What is Child Labour?

Answer: Child Labour is the use of children to produce goods and services. It is any form of labour that severely affects the mental, social and educational growth of the child. It is one of the most urgent and immediate problems of developing nations.

Question 3. Which Countries have severe Child Labour Issues?

Answer: Ukraine, Swaziland, India, and several parts of South America have child labour problems. India, too, is a part of the list.

Question 4. What is the reason for rampant Child Labour?

Answer: The vicious cycle of poverty in developing nations.

Picture Dictionary
English Speech
English Slogans
English Letter Writing
English Essay Writing
English Textbook Answers
Types of Certificates
ICSE Solutions
Selina ICSE Solutions
ML Aggarwal Solutions
HSSLive Plus One
HSSLive Plus Two
Kerala SSLC
Distance Education

Child Labour in India: Causes, Laws and How to eliminate Child Labour

Table of Contents

Child Labour in India: Children are always considered next to the pious versions of the Almighty who always strive to inculcate happiness, joy, innocence and hope. The future of a nation is determined by the way it treats its children and its women, after all, children imply a hope, a hope to strengthen not only the economy of the country, but also to provide the country with skilled human resources who have access to the basic amenities essential for the existence coupled with the tenets of the education in India.

Fill Out the Form for Expert Academic Guidance!

Please indicate your interest Live Classes Books Test Series Self Learning

Verify OTP Code (required)

I agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy .

Fill complete details

Target Exam ---

It is the moral duty of every citizen for the country to ensure that the childhood of our children is protected and not marred with instances like that of child labour in India which arise out of poverty and helplessness.

What is Child Labour?

Child labour typically means the employment of children in any manual work with or without payment. Child labour is not only limited to India, it happens to be a global phenomenon.

As far as India is concerned, the issue is a vicious one as children in India have historically been helping parents at their farms and other primitive activities. Another concept that needs explanation is the concept of bonded labour which is one of the most common forms of exploitation. Bonded labour means the children are forced to work as employees in lieu of payment of debt by the parents due to exorbitant rates of repayment of interest.

Also associated with the concept of bonded labour is the concept of urban child labour in India wherein the labouers are the street children who spend most of their childhood on the streets.

UNICEF has categorized child work into three categories:

1. Within the family – Children are engaged in domestic household tasks without pay.

2. Within the family but outside the home – Example- agricultural labourers, domestic maids, migrant labourers etc.

3. Outside the family- Example- commercial shops in restaurants and jobs, prostitution etc.

Types of Child Labour in India

Child labors in India could be mainly classified into two categories of industrial, domestic and bonded child labors. Below we will go through the details of the mentioned Indian sectors employing children as labors along with the demographics.

1) Industrial Child Labor

Industrial sector in India is the largest employer of children below the legal age of 18. Approximately, over 10 Million children between the age group of 5 to 14 years are working in informal or small industries, including around 4.5 Million girls. Small enterprises like garment industry, brick kiln, agriculture, fireworks industries, diamond industries etc, constitute some of the largest employer of children. Sometimes such industries operate from homes, making it difficult for the authorities to take appropriate actions.

Unorganized sector in India is one of the largest employers of children and the most visible too. Children could be easily spotted, working in road side dhabas and eateries, tea shops or grocery stores. The owners of such small businesses prefer children as they are easy to handle and easy to fire.

2) Domestic Child Labor

Domestic child labors constitute 10% of the total child labors in India. They include both boys and girls domestically employed by wealthy families to look after their everyday chorus. Such children have no option but to serve the needs of other families in an age when they should be attending school and playing with friends. Poverty is the main factor behind children being employed as domestic help. Usually the parents give their consent in hope of money and a stable shelter for their children.

The statics reveal a grim picture – nearly 20% of all the domestic workers employed are below the age of 14 years and the figures include mainly girls. These children are employed as live in servants, doing daily chorus of the family like – washing, cooking, looking after pets or younger children and other works.

3) Bonded Child Labors

Bonded child labour means as a child who is employed forcibly to pay off a debt of his parents or a guardian. Though the numbers of bonded child labors have considerably declined in recent past due strict government supervision and laws banning it, it is silently followed in isolated and remote places.

Children residing in villages and employed in agriculture industry are more prone to this type of labor. Poor farmers owing large debts to money lenders, often get into an agreement to engage their siblings as labors to wealthy money lenders. There were thousands of bonded labors engaged in various industries, till the past decade, but today the numbers have reduced drastically, and the government claims that there are no more bonded child labors in India.

This is made possible due to laws banning child labor and a compulsory child education and by the joint efforts of UNICEF (United Nations Children Emergency Fund), NGOs and other relevant agencies.

Causes of Rising Instances of Child Labour in India

Over population, illiteracy , poverty , debt trap are some of the common causes which are instrumental in this issue.

Overburdened, debt-trapped parents fail to understand the importance of a normal childhood under the pressures of their own troubles and thus it leads to the poor emotional and mental balance of a child’s brain which is not prepared to undertake rigorous field or domestic tasks.

National and Multinational companies also recruit children in garment industries for more work and less pay which is absolutely unethical.

According to UNICEF children are employed because they can be easily exploited. By considering various causes of child labour, we can make a strategy to curb or eliminate child labour in India.

Causes of Child Labour in India

The curse of 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. In fact, they are well aware of the grief of losing their loved ones to poverty many times. 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.

Lack of educational resources

Even after so many 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 of education. And if there is any, it is miles away. Such administrative laxity is also responsible for child labour in India. The worst sufferers are the poor families for whom getting their children educated is a dream.

Sometimes the lack of affordable school for the education of poor children leaves them illiterate and helpless. Children are forced to live without studying. And sometimes such compulsions push them into the trap of child labour in India.

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 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.

Also, uneducated parents do not know about the impact of child labour on their children. The conditions of poverty and unemployment give rural families a compulsive basis for engaging children in various tasks. In fact, feudal, zamindari system and its existing remnants continue to perpetuate the problem of child labour in India.

Addiction, disease or disability

In many families, due to addiction, disease or disability, there is no earning, and the child’s wages are the sole means of family’s sustenance. Population growth is also increasing unemployment, which has adverse impact on child labour prevention. So, parents, instead of sending their children to school, are willing to send them to work to increase family income.

Poor compliance of laws

In modern society, laws stipulate that citizens have the right to receive good education, avail good health services and take care of their health. Every citizen has the right to play the game he enjoys, and enjoy all the means of entertainment, and when he grows, to obtain employment where he can earn well and contribute to society and nation. But in the absence of proper compliance of the laws, child labour in India is continuing. It can be prohibited only by strict adherence to the related laws.

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 they do to the elder ones, but pay half the wages. In the case of child labour, there is less chance for theft, greed or misappropriation of money too.

With the development of globalization, privatization, and consumerist culture, the need for cheap labour and its linkage with economic needs of poor families have encouraged child labour in India.

Family tradition

It is a shocking but a bitter truth that in our society it is very easy to give child labour the name of tradition or custom in many families. The cultural and traditional family values play their role in increasing the problem of child labour in India at the voluntary level. Many families believe that a good life is not their destiny, and the age-old tradition of labour is the only source of their earning and livelihood.

Small businessmen also waste the lives of their children in the greediness of perpetuating their family trade with lower production costs. Some families also believe that working from childhood onwards will make their children more diligent and worldly-wise in terms of future life. They believe that early employment will give rise to their children’s personal development, which will make it easier for them to plan their life ahead.

Discrimination between boys and girls

We have been conditioned into believing that girls are weaker and there is no equal comparison between boys and girls. Even today, in our society, we will find many examples where girls are deprived of studies. Considering girls weaker than boys deprives them of school and education. In labourer families, girls are found to be engaged in labour along with their parents.

Effects/Impacts of Child Labour on Social Environment in India

Child labour is a serious hindrance to social and economical development of the nation. Children employed in various sectors fail to get necessary education, virtually forced to leading 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.

Children employed in glass and fire cracker 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.

Children who are forced into the labour industry are unable to fend for themselves and grow up as an individual who cannot productively contribute to the society. Moreover, for a nation’s economy to be progressive, it is imperative that its workforce is educated and skilled, to cater to different sectors; which is a distant reality as long as child labor exists.

As long as the children are employed as labors, India cannot successfully eradicate poverty and illiteracy. Sending children to schools instead of work could have large economical and social benefits in long run. Educated children acquire necessary skills and higher paying jobs, lifting them and the nation out of the clutches of poverty.

Child Labour Laws in India

The problem of child labour in India had become an issue of concern for one and all post Independence. The drafting committee of the India constitution wanted to formulate laws on their own without seeking recommendations from other countries with this regard. Since, India had been under the exploitative regime of the British, it only made sense that the provisions were devised keeping in mind the forms of exploitative labour that India had witnessed under the atrocious regime.

The primitive laws that were formed to prohibit child labour in India were when the Employment of Children Act, 1938 was passed. But this act failed miserably because it failed to address the cause of poverty as it is poverty that drives children into forced labour.

The Indian Parliament time and again has passed Laws and Acts to ensure the protection of children from child labour in India. The Fundamental Rights enshrined in our Constitution prohibit child labour below the age of 14 years in any factor or mine or engaged in any hazardous employment under Article 24. Apart from this, it is also provided under Article 21-A that State shall provide infrastructure and resources for free and compulsory education for children of the age six upto 14 years.

There exists a set of laws which under the Constitution govern the protection of children from child labour. The Factories Act of 1948 prevents the employment of children below 14 years in any factory. The Mines Act of 1952 prohibits the employment of children below the age of 18 years. The Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986 prevents the employment of children below the age of 14 years in life-threatening occupations identified in a list by the law. Further, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) of children Act of 2000 made the employment of children a punishable offence.

Ironically, despite this huge array of laws, there seems to be no improvement in the working conditions of the child labourers and employers also freely flout the provisions of the Act covering the prohibition of child labour in India.

It needs to be highlighted that the violation of these provisions means a deprivation of the basic human rights and demeaning the childhood of the children. The law also isn’t very clear as to how where can the children work. The Acts covers only 10 percent of the total working children and thus not applicable to the unorganized sector.

The Act also exempts the family of the child labourer from its purview if they all are working with the same employee as that of the child. Although the Act prohibits the employment of children in certain hazardous industries and processes, it does not define what constitutes hazardous work. It only provides a list of hazardous occupations.

Role of International Organizations in Fighting Child Labour

The International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPECL) was launched under the programme of International Labour Organization in 1991 to work towards the elimination of child labour by creating awareness about child labour as a global issue using national platforms. India was among the first nations to sign the MOU with IPECL to help in combating child labour.

National Labour Project (NCLP) is one of the major programmes implemented throughout the country under which seven child labour projects were set up in the year 1988. Rehabilitation is also one of the major policies that have been adopted by the government of India to reduce the incidence of child labour in India.

Unfortunately, the concerned authorities are unable to combat the rising cases of child labour because of varied reasons. They fail to establish the correct age if the child due to the lack of birth proofs and at times fake proofs. Not much is being done on creating the awareness among people. Even if efforts are being made, they cater to a limited population and the endurance among the authorities is not visible. A lot of laxity can be observed during the conduct of awareness programmes. There is still a need to address the issue on global platforms time and again with stringent policy framework in place.

How to Eliminate and Stop Child Labour in India

Abolition of child trafficking , elimination of poverty, free and compulsory education, and basic standards of living can reduce the problem to a great extent. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund can help in eradicating poverty by providing loan to the developing countries.

Strict implementation of labour laws is also essential in order to prevent exploitation by parties or multinational companies. Lot many amendments are required in the present child labour prohibition law in order to implement strict measures to control the situation. The minimum of age of fourteen years needs to be increased to at least eighteen. The list of hazardous activities which are present in the law needs to include more occupations which have been left out of the purview of the hazardous activities.

Let’s learn how to stop and solve the problem of child labour in India:

To prevent child labour, incidence of poverty needs to be reduced first, so that poor people do not have to send their children to earn their bread and butter.
Spreading literacy and education is a potent weapon against the practice of child labour in India, because illiterate persons do not understand the implications of child labour.
Another way to stop child labour in India is to eliminate or rein in unemployment. Because of inadequate employment, many families cannot afford to meet all their expenses. If employment opportunities are increased, they will be able to let their children read and write and become worthy citizens.
To stop child labour in India, we will have to first change our own thinking. We have to ensure that first of all, we do not keep any child at work in our own home or office. We have to remember that we are not doing any favour to children of tender age by paying them money in exchange of their labour, but we are rather playing with their future.
We also need to spread awareness about child labour in India, so that people can understand that child labour is messing with the future of the country. They will have to understand that there is no future for India if its children are weakened mentally and physically through the practice of child labour.
The common man should take up a resolve that he will not buy any items from the shops where a child is employed as labour. Also, if we come across such instances, we should complain to the police or other agencies, about it. The common citizen should prevent child labour from taking place in society. In this way, the general public can help in the prevention of child labour in India.
There are laws prohibiting child labour in our country. If we notice any case of child labour, then we should immediately go to the nearest police station and register our complaint. We must raise our voice against the stonehearted who employ child labour in India.
We can also dial 100 to register a complaint against child labour. We can also dial the telephone service number 1098 started by the government to register complaints against child labour.
We will have to play the role of a conscious customer. Many times we go to the market and shop for our necessities, without knowing that there may be child labour practice behind the texture of that stuff. Why not form a habit from today that whenever we purchase any goods, we ask the shopkeeper about the technique used in their manufacture. Most shopkeepers may not know the answer to this question, but we can take one step from our side. We can create a sensible environment in the society by these inquiries. And say No to the use of something made of child labour. It may seem a little odd, but this can bring a big change in our society.
Let the parents of the children know the consequences of child labour. If we find any child labour somewhere near us, first we should talk to the family of that child. Empathizing with their conditions, we should tell them about the bleak future of their child in case of continuance of this practice.
Owners of factories and shops should take a vow that they will not force any child to do labour and stop other people from doing the same.
To prevent child labour in India, we need proper implementation of laws that prescribe strict punishment to vendors, shopkeepers and mill owners in case they engage children on cheap wages.
There should also be more robust and stricter laws for child labour in India, so that the people fear from employing any child labour.
Poor parents should pay full attention to the education of their children because today the government is providing free education, food, and even medicines in certain schools.
They should not make any difference between boys and girls. By this practice, the number of girl child labour in India can be reduced to a great extent.

Related Information:

Essay on Child Labour in India
Speech on Child Labour in India
Paragraph on Child Labour in India
Slogans on Child Labour in India

More Information:

Social Reformers of India

Please select class

OUR CENTERS Bangalore Delhi Lucknow Mysuru Srinagar Dharwad Hyderabad

Call us @ 08069405205

Search Here

An Introduction to the CSE Exam
Personality Test
Annual Calendar by UPSC-2024
Common Myths about the Exam
About Insights IAS
Our Mission, Vision & Values
Director's Desk
Meet Our Team
Our Branches
Careers at Insights IAS
Daily Current Affairs+PIB Summary
Insights into Editorials
Insta Revision Modules for Prelims
Current Affairs Quiz
Static Quiz
Current Affairs RTM
Insta-DART(CSAT)
Insta 75 Days Revision Tests for Prelims 2024
Secure (Mains Answer writing)
Secure Synopsis
Ethics Case Studies
Insta Ethics
Weekly Essay Challenge
Insta Revision Modules-Mains
Insta 75 Days Revision Tests for Mains
Secure (Archive)
Anthropology
Law Optional
Kannada Literature
Public Administration
English Literature
Medical Science
Mathematics
Commerce & Accountancy
Monthly Magazine: CURRENT AFFAIRS 30
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
InstaMaps: Important Places in News
Weekly CA Magazine
The PRIME Magazine
Insta Revision Modules-Prelims
Insta-DART(CSAT) Quiz
Insta 75 days Revision Tests for Prelims 2022
Insights SECURE(Mains Answer Writing)
Interview Transcripts
Previous Years' Question Papers-Prelims
Answer Keys for Prelims PYQs
Solve Prelims PYQs
Previous Years' Question Papers-Mains
UPSC CSE Syllabus
Toppers from Insights IAS
Testimonials
Felicitation
UPSC Results
Indian Heritage & Culture
Ancient Indian History
Medieval Indian History
Modern Indian History
World History
World Geography
Indian Geography
Indian Society
Social Justice
International Relations
Agriculture
Environment & Ecology
Disaster Management
Science & Technology
Security Issues
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Indian Heritage & Culture
Enivornment & Ecology

How to Study Art & Culture?
What is Art and Culture? What is the difference between the two?
Indus Civilization
Evolution of rock-cut architecture in India
Important rock-cut caves
The contribution of Pallavas to Rock-cut architecture
Comparision of art form found at Ellora and Mahabalipuram
Buddhist Architecture
Early Temples in India
Basic form of Hindu temple
Dravida style of temple architecture
Nagara Style or North India Temple style
Vesara style of temple architecture
Characteristic features of Indo-Islamic form of architecture
Styles of Islamic architecture in the Indian subcontinent
Types of buildings in Islamic architecture in the Indian subcontinent
Evolution of this form of architecture during the medieval period
Modern Architecture
Post-Independence architecture
Indus Civilization Sculpture
Bharhut Sculptures
Sanchi Sculptures
Gandhara School of Sculpture
Mathura School of Sculpture
Amaravati School of Sculpture
Gupta Sculpture
Medieval School of Sculpture
Modern Indian Sculpture
Pre Historic Painting
Mural Paintings & Cave Paintings
Pala School
Mughal Paintings
Bundi School of Painting
Malwa School
Mewar School
Basohli School
Kangra School
Decanni School of Painting
Madhubani Paintings or Mithila paintings
Pattachitra
Kalighat Painting
Modern Indian Paintings
Personalities Associated to Paintings
Christianity
Zoroastrianism
Six Schools of Philosophy
Lokayata / Charvaka
Hindustani Music
Carnatic Music
Folk Music Tradition
Modern Music
Personalities associated with Music
Bharatanatyam
Mohiniattam
Folk Dances
Modern Dance in India
Sanskrit Theatre
Folk Theatre
Modern Theatre
Personalities associated with Theatre
History of Puppetry
String Puppetry
Shadow Puppetry
Rod Puppetry
Glove Puppetry
Indian Cinema and Circus
Shankaracharya
Ramanujacharya (1017-1137AD)
Madhvacharya
Vallabhacharya
Kabir (1440-1510 AD)
Guru Nanak (1469-1538 AD)
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Shankar Dev
Purandaradasa
Samard Ramdas
Classical Languages
Scheduled Languages
Literature in Ancient India
Buddhist and Jain Literature
Tamil (Sangam) Literature
Malayalam Literature
Telugu Literature
Medieval Literature
Modern Literature
Important characteristics of Fairs and Festivals of India
Some of the major festivals that are celebrated in India
Art & Crafts
Ancient Science & Technology
Medieval Science & Technology
Famous Personalities in Science & Technology
Tangible Cultural Heritage
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Cultural Heritage Sites
Natural Heritage Sites
Important Institutions
Important programmes related to promotion and preservation of Indian heritage
Ochre Colored Pottery (OCP)
Black and Red Ware (BRW)
Painted Grey-Ware (PGW)
Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)
Origin of Martial arts in India
Various forms of Martial arts in India
Situation of Child Labour in India

Poverty and Child labour- a vicious cycle

Impact of the pandemic
Government measures undertaken to eradicate child labour in India
Challenges before policy makers with respect to child labour.
Way Forward
Facts and figures about the prevalence of Child marriage in India
Factors leading to child marriage in India
Interlinkages of poverty and child marriages in India
Impact of child marriage on Indian economy
Government measures undertaken so far to curb Child Marriages in India
Measures needed to prevent child marriages
The Poor state of Hunger and Malnutrition in India
Multi-dimensional determinants of malnutrition
Covid-19 impact on malnutrition in children in India
Government effort to fight malnutrition
Addressing malnutrition: Measures needed
Procedure in place to protect children
Government measures needed
Role of NCPCR
Shortcomings of NCPCR
Way forward
Key findings of the report in India
Impact of COVID-19
Government Measures undertaken
Measures needed
Constitutional Provisions to safeguard children
Child Abuse in India
Impacts of child abuse
Government initiatives undertaken
On children
On families
On individual
Challenges to ban child pornography
Causes for child mortality
Government initiatives
Geographic spread of minorities in India
Socio-economic status of minorities in India
Importance of recognition of rights of minorities
Parameters to define minority in India
Lack of uniformity in determining minorities
Prejudice & Discrimination
Problem of Identity
Problem of Security
Problem Relating to Equity
Problem of Communal Tensions and Riots
Lack of Representation in Civil Service and Politics
Problem of Providing Protection
Failure to Stick on Strictly to Secularism
Problem of Lack of Representation in Civil Service and Politics
Key findings related to minorities
Various factors responsible for under-representation of enrolled minorities
Problem of Separatism
Problem Relating to the Introduction of Common Civil Code
Problems faced by minority women in India
Factors leading to anger against minorities
Constitutional Safeguard for Minorities
Government Welfare Measures for Minorities
Composition
Lacunae in NCM
Measures needed to make NCM more effective
Major Findings
Main Recommendations
Review of the implementation of recommendations of Sachar committee report after Ten Years
Status of Education in India
Importance of Education for India
Contemporary challenges in education sector in India
Other existing issues
Measures Needed for Issues related to Education Sector
Way forward for Issues related to Education Sector
Feature of Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009
Significance of RTE Act, 2009
Achievements of RTE Act,2009
Limitations of RTE Act, 2009
Measures needed foe Right to Education
Importance of Education as a necessary public good
Challenges faced by Government schools
Measures needed for Public Education System in India
Way forward for Public Education System in India
Key highlights of the NEP
Significance of National Education Policy 2020
Issues with the NEP- 2020
Measures needed for effective implementation
Way Forward for New Education Policy
Three language policy
Concerns associated over three language formula
Way forward for Three language formula in India
Significance of emphasizing native languages in the education system of India
Way forward for Native language in education
Significance of ECCE
NEP 2020 and ECCE
Challenges for Early Childhood Care and Education
Way forward for Early Childhood Care and Education
Need for reforms
Findings of ASER Report 2019
Challenges faced – Primary Education in India
Government Schemes for Elementary Education
Measures needed for Primary Education in India
Government Schemes for Secondary Education
Challenges facing higher education system
Government schemes for Higher Education
Measures needed for Higher Education in India
Way forward for Higher Education in India
Reasons behind poor quality of teachers
Opportunities present
Government Initiative so far
Way forward for Teacher Education in India
Present Status
Advantages of Developing Female Education in India
Challenges for Gender Imparity in Education
Way Forward for Gender Imparity in Education
Crisis of education in India in times of Pandemic
Impacts on education due to COVID-19 pandemic
Challenges posed by Online Education
Online education as a supplement to Traditional Educational Institutes
Challenges facing medical education in India
Can private participating alleviate the concerns?
Government proposal in this regard
Way forward for Medical Education in India
Need for value education
Importance of value education
Issues related to SC/ST
Scheduled Caste
Issues faced by Scheduled Castes
Major reasons behind miserable conditions of Scheduled Castes
Constitutional mechanism for upliftment of SC
Government Initiatives taken for Scheduled Caste development
Educational Empowerment
Economic Empowerment
Social Empowerment
Evaluation of Government Schemes
Failure of the Indian judiciary to protect the rights of the people
Measures needed for Scheduled Caste
Way forward for Scheduled Caste
Dalit Women
Challenges faced by Dalit Women
Atrocities against Dalit women
Role of Indian judiciary in protecting sexual violence victims
Criticism against ignorance of caste-based violence
Aspects which have improved so far
Measures needed for Dalit Women
Way forward for Dalit Women
National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Issues related to the role of National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Measures need to be taken up by NCSC
Scheduled Tribe
Definition of Scheduled tribe
Various problems of tribal communities in India
Constitutional Safeguards for STs
Educational & Cultural Safeguards
Social Safeguard
Economic Safeguards
Political Safeguards
Service Safeguards
The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution
Need for Sixth Schedule
Sixth Schedule areas: Benefits of devolving powers
Issues related to sixth schedule areas
Legislative measures
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
Rights under the Act
Eligibility
Need for the law
Issues with the law and its implementation
Measures needed in FRA’s
XAXA Committee
Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
Problems with PESA
Government Initiatives for ST
Way Forward in women and health
Way forward for ST
Way forward for PVTGs
Way forward in Violence/crime against Women
Way forward in sex ratio

Home » Social Justice » Issues related to children » Child Labour

Child Labour

Child labour typically means the employment of children in any manual work with or without payment. It is a deep rooted social ill in India. As per the 2011 Census, in the age group 5-14 years, 10.1 million of 259.6 million constituted working children. Even though there was a decline in the number of working children to 3.9% in 2011 from 5% in 2001, the decline rate is grossly insufficient to meet target 8.7 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , which is to end child labour in all forms by 2025 .

The Indian constitution provides free and compulsory education for all children in the age group of six to 14 years as a fundamental right under article 21A. Child labour in India decreased in the decade 2001 to 2011, and this demonstrates that the right combination of policy and programmatic interventions can make a difference.

The number of children working as child labourers came down by 100 million in last two decades ( 1991 to 2011) which demonstrates that the right combination of policy and programmatic interventions can make a difference ; but COVID-19 pandemic has undone a lot of gains
The Covid-19 crisis has brought additional poverty to these already vulnerable populations and may reverse years of progress in the fight against child labour- ILO
A report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF warns that 9 million additional children are at the risk of being pushed into child labour by the end of 2022 globally , as a result of the pandemic.
In India, the closure of schools and the economic crisis faced by the vulnerable families , triggered by the pandemic, are likely drivers pushing children into poverty and thus, child labour and unsafe migration.
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, reveals a study conducted by Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL).
The coronavirus pandemic is forcing India’s children out of school and into farms and factories to work, worsening a child-labour problem that was already one of the direst in the world.
Orphaned children are particularly vulnerable to trafficking and other exploitation like forced begging, or child labour. In such families, there is also the likelihood of older children dropping out of school to support their younger siblings.
Children are seen as a stop-gap measure to fill jobs left vacant by migrant labourers who fled cities for their rural homes during the lockdown.
According to the CACL survey , more than 94% of children have said that the economic crisis at home and family pressure had pushed them into work. Most of their parents had lost their jobs or earned very low wages during the pandemic.
A total of 591 children were rescued from forced work and bonded labour from different parts of India during the lockdown by Bachpan Bachao Andolan , a civil society group on children’s rights

The nationwide lockdown imposed, pushed millions of people into poverty, which is encouraging trafficking of children from villages into cities for cheap labour.
School closures have aggravated the situation and many millions of children are working to contribute to the family income. The pandemic has also made women, men and children more vulnerable to exploitation.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) some 25 million people could lose their jobswith those in informal employment suffering most from lack of social protection during this pandemic.
As per the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy’s (CMIE) weekly tracker survey, the impact of COVID-19 has already pushed the urban unemployment rate to 30.9%
Children are seen as a stop-gap measure to fill jobs left vacant by migrant laborers who fled cities for their rural homes during the lockdown.
A total of 591 children were rescued from forced work and bonded labour from different parts of India during the lockdown by Bachpan Bachao Andolan, a civil society group on children’s rights
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act(1986) to prohibit the engagement of children in certain employments and to regulate the conditions of work of children in certain other employments
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.
On World Day Against Child Labour (June 12) in 2017 , India ratified two core conventions of the International Labour Organization on child labour .
National Policy on Child Labour (1987) , with a focus more on rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and processes, rather than on prevention.
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act2000 and amendment of the JJ Act in 2006 : 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.
Pencil : The government has launched a dedicated platform viz. pencil.gov.in to ensure effective enforcement of child labour laws and end child labour.
The Right to Education Act 2009 has made it mandatory for the state to ensure that all children aged six to 14 years are in school and receive free education. Along with Article 21A of the Constitution of India recognizing education as a fundamental right, this constitutes a timely opportunity to use education to combat child labour in India.
Amendments made to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act prescribes severe punishment for people found guilty of retaining bonded labour.
The amendment stipulates rigorous imprisonment for those who force children to beg, handle or carry human waste and animal carcasses.
The draft National Policy for Domestic Workers , when goes into force, will ensure minimum Rs.9,000 salary for household helpers.
Every police station in the country has a separate cell for juvenile, women and child protection.
Many NGOs like Bachpan Bachao Andolan, CARE India, Child Rights and You, Global march against child labour, RIDE India, Child line etc . have been working to eradicate child labour in India.
The pandemic is hampering enforcement of anti-child labour laws , with fewer workplace inspections and less vigorous pursuit of human traffickers .
NGOs point to the fact that the real spike in child labour is yet to come . When economic activity begins accelerating, there is a risk of returning migrants taking children along with them to the cities.
Children’s access to education, basic nutrition and other critical requirements for their development and wellbeing , have suffered a huge setback and many new children have fallen into the trap of forced labour along with further deteriorated conditions for the existing child labourers.
Incoherency between laws that prescribe a minimum age for employment and those for completion of compulsory school education. It also means that the expansion of quality universal basic education has to extend beyond the fulfilment of statutory provisions.
Multiple forms exist: Child labour is not uniform. It takes many forms depending upon the type of work that children are made to do, the age and sex of the child and whether they work independently or with families.
Due to this complex nature of child labour, there is no one strategy that can be used to eliminate it.
The absence of national legislation to give effect to global conventions on the employment of children in hazardous industries, as well as on the minimum age of work.
The lack of harmony between global commitments and domestic priorities.
Lack of effective labour inspections in the informal economy. Around 71% of working children are concentrated in the agriculture sector, with 69% of them undertaking unpaid work in family units.
Abolition of child trafficking, elimination of poverty, free and compulsory education, and basic standards of living can reduce the problem to a great extent.
Strict implementation of labour laws is also essential in order to prevent exploitation by parties or multinational companies
Strengthening policy and legislative enforcement, and building the capacities of government, workers’ and employers’ organisations as well as other partners at national, State and community levels should be prioritized.
Spreading literacy and education is a potent weapon against the practice of child labour, because illiterate persons do not understand the implications of child labour
The single most effective way to stem the flow of school-aged children into child labour is to improve access to and quality of schooling.

Eradicate Unemployment:

Another way to stop child labour is to eliminate or rein in unemployment. Because of inadequate employment, many families cannot afford to meet all their expenses. If employment opportunities are increased, they will be able to let their children read and write and become worthy citizens
Continued progress against child labour requires policies that help mitigate the economic vulnerability of households. Accelerating progress towards universal social protection is key, as social protection helps prevent poor households from having to rely on child labour as a coping mechanism.

Attitude change:

It is important that the attitudes and mindsets of people are changed to instead employ adults and allow all children to go to school and have the chance to learn, play and socialize as they should.
A sector-wide culture of child labour-free businesses has to be nurtured.
Coordinated policy efforts should be taken to provide employment and income support to all informal sector workers to stimulate the economy and labour demand.
States should prioritise efforts to continue education for all children, using all available technology.
Financial support or relaxation of school fees and other related school expenses should be given to those children who wouldn’t be able to return to school otherwise.
School authorities need to ensure that every student will have free lunches at home until schools open. Special efforts should be taken to identify children orphaned due to COVID-19, and arrangements of shelter and foster care for them should be made on a priority basis.

Eliminating child labour is firmly placed within Goal 8 of the SDGs. A stronger nexus between the discourse on SDGs and the discourse on eliminating child labour can take the advantage of complementarities and synergies of a wide range of actors engaged in both areas of work. The fight against child labour is not just the responsibility of one, it is the responsibility of all.

Our Mission, Vision & Values
Director’s Desk
Commerce & Accountancy
Previous Years’ Question Papers-Prelims
Previous Years’ Question Papers-Mains
Environment & Ecology
Science & Technology

IMAGES

Child Labour in India Essay
The Issue of Child Labour in India: [Essay Example], 493 words GradesFixer
Child Labour in India (300 Words)
Child Labour in India Essay
Essay on Child Labour for Students and Children (2023)
Child labour in India, Causes,bonded labour and government initiative

VIDEO

Labour India Public School
Essay on Child Labour
Essay on Child Labour/ Causes, effects and laws about the Child Labour 👍
Child Labour Day 2021 || Act Now: End Child Labour || India Pakistan , Speech, essay|| child status
Stop Child Labour
Child Labour

COMMENTS

How to Prevent Child Labour in India
Despite the government efforts and stringent laws, this social evil continues to prevail in our society. Child labour hinders the growth and progress of a child and impedes an entire nation's the social and economic development. Therefore, we ought to come together and channelize our efforts in the right direction to stop child labour. Here ...
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 ...
Child Labour in India: Causes, Consequences, Laws
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.
Child Labour Essay for Students in English
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.
Essay on Child Labour in 1000 Words for Students
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 Essay in English
100 Words Essay On Child Labour. Child labour is defined as the employment of children for any type of work that interferes with their physical and mental growth and denies them access to the fundamental educational and recreational needs. A child is generally regarded as old enough to work when they are fifteen years old or older.
Essay on Child Labour Causes, Effects, Solution & Prevention
Child Labour - Essay 2. Child labour has been gripping the world at a very fast pace. But in India, this rate is quite alarming. This rate needs to be controlled as soon as possible not only in India but globally. What is Child Labour? In a broad sense, child labour simply means employing children illegally at workplaces.
Child Labour in India: Causes, Consequences and Solutions
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. child labor in India. Understand the causes, consequences, and explore effective ...
Educational strategies that can reduce child labour in India
At the same time, child labour in the country persists, with out-of-school children being more likely to engage in child labour. A renewed effort is needed to prevent and reduce child labour, including through strengthening the education sector. Educational Strategies that Can Reduce Child Labour in India: A literature review describes the ...
Child Labour in India: An In-Depth Analysis of a ...
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 Essay for School Students in English
"Make our Future Bright Shape our Future Right Stop Child Labour" - An Essay on Child Labour in India. Poverty and unemployment in developing nations are the leading cause of child labour. As per the statistics of the U.N. of 2005, more than 1/4th of people globally are existing in extreme poverty.
PDF Educational strategies that can reduce child labour in India: A
view did not identify any study on the effect of school feeding on child labour outcomes in India.Though limited, the evidence suggests that exposure to life skills e. ucation programmes is a promising approach to reduce school discontinuation, at least among girls. The single study measuring effects of a life s.
Child labour
Child labour rises to 160 million - first increase in two decades. Multimedia content available to download here NEW YORK/GENEVA, 10 June 2021 - The number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide - an increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years - with millions more at risk due to the impacts of COVID ...
Prevalence and potential consequences of child labour in India and the
Although child labour is most often found in countries with lower socioeconomic resources, it also occurs in developed countries. 5, 6 The latest global estimates indicate that 152 million children (64 million girls and 88 million boys) are engaged in child labour, accounting for almost one in 10 of all children worldwide. While the number of children in child labour has declined since 2000 ...
4 actions to help end child labour and build a fair economy
Rise in child labour. Source: UNICEF and International Labour Organisation, 2021. 1. Educate ourselves and then share knowledge with others. Child labour is a challenge that touches our own social and economic lives. And we can only become fully aware of it after we have made an effort to educate ourselves.
National Child Labour Project Scheme
The government of India has undertaken multiple steps to focus on the elimination and prevention of child labour. The implementation of Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act, of 2016, Right to Education Act of 2009, the INDUS Project and the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme were all done in the direction to prevent and eliminate the issue of child labour.
How To Stop Child Labour In India
The following are some of the common causes of child labour in India: Poverty and illiteracy of parents. Disability or addiction of parents. Poor socio-economic conditions of the families. Lure of money. Limited access to proper education. Lack of awareness of the ill-effects of child labour.
Essay on Child Labour for Students in English [500 Words Essay]
Essay on Child Labour: Illegal exploitation of a child for financial or other gains is known as Child labour. It is a crime to employ children below the age of 14 years. According to UNICEF, 13% of the total workforce in India are children. Child labour is not only illegal but also detrimental & unfortunate for a society.
Protecting Children Without Family Care
Risks of family separation are exacerbated by social breakdown, conflict, poverty, unsafe migration, and disability. A nationwide review of Child Care Institutions in 2018 by the MWCD found 370,227 children in need of care and protection and 7,422 children in conflict with the law living in CCIs. In April 2020, at the time of the Supreme Court ...
A pandemic cannot justify child labour
Census 2011 data suggests that the total number of child labourers in India between 5-14 years of age is 4.35 million (main workers) and 5.76 million (marginal workers)—a total of 10.11 million. Further, the total number of adolescent labourers in India is 22.87 million, bringing the total (in the age group of 5-18 years) to around 33 million.
Paragraph On Child Labour 100, 150, 200, 250 to 300 Words for Kids
Paragraph On Child Labour - 200 Words for Class 6,7,8 Students. Child Labour has been a pressing problem in India. It has been written in several papers that child labour only pushes the economy into another equilibrium. This equilibrium is bad. The other one is also not good for a developing country like India.
Child Labour in India: Causes, Laws and How to eliminate Child Labour
Child Labour in India: Children are always considered next to the pious versions of the Almighty who always strive to inculcate happiness, joy, innocence and hope. The future of a nation is determined by the way it treats its children and its women, after all, children imply a hope, a hope to strengthen not only the economy of the country, but also to provide the country with skilled human ...
Child Labour
Child labour in India decreased in the decade 2001 to 2011, and this demonstrates that the right combination of policy and programmatic interventions can make a difference. Challenges before policy makers with respect to child labour. Child Labour: Child labour typically means the employment of children in any manual work with or without payment.

Essay on Child Labour for Students and Children

Causes of Child Labour

Eradication of Child Labour

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Download the App

Shopping Cart

Child Labour – India’s Hidden Shame

Who is a child?

Express Learning Programme (ELP)

What is Child Labour?

Prelims Sureshots – Most Probable Topics for UPSC Prelims

How children are exploited for Labour in India?

What is the statistics of child labour in India?

What is the nature of child labour in India?

What are the causes of Child Labour in India?

What are the impacts of child labour?

What are the International Safeguards against Child Labour?

What are the measures taken by India?

What are the Challenges in reducing child labour in India?

What is the way forward?

Related Posts

Block Member?

What is Child Labour?

Contributing Factors of Increasing Child Labour

Role of the Government

Child Labour is a Crime

Eradicating Child Labour

Government Policies

FAQs on Child Labour Essay

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Essay on Child Labour in 1000 Words for Students

5 Major Child Labour Causes

Poverty and Unemployment

Lack of Access to Education

Lack of Enforcement Laws

Debt Bondage

Ignorance and Lack of Awareness

Impacts on Children

Education Deprivation

Impact on Physical Health

Impact on Mental and Emotional Health

Cycle of Poverty

What is the Global Perspective?

Child Labour in India

5 Steps to Eradicate Child Labour

10 Lines to Add in Child Labour Essay

Shiva Tyagi

Connect With Us

Need help with?

Country Preference

Which English test are you planning to take?

When are you planning to take the exam?

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

What is your budget to study abroad?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

Essex Direct Admission Day

Products & Resources

Colleges & Courses

Predictors & E-Books

Predictors & Articles

Top Courses & Careers

Quick Links

Diploma Colleges

Upcoming Events

Other Exams

Top Countries

Student Visas

Engineering Preparation

Medical Preparation

Online Courses

Top Streams

Specializations

Top Providers

Child Labour Essay

200 Words Essay On Child Labour

Why Is Child Labour Prohibited?

Causes Of Child Labour

How To Protect Children From Child Labour?

Applications for Admissions are open.