THE MAGNITUDE
OF CHILD LABOUR
IN INDIA
SUBMITTED BY ARUSHI GIRI
NAME -ARUSHI GIRI
CLASS -12TH B
SCHOOL - St. Joseph’s School
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SPECIAL THANKS OF GRATITUDE TO MY
TEACHER WHO GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS WONDERFUL
PROJECT, WHICH ALSO HELPED ME IN DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH AND I
CAME TO KNOW ABOUT SO MANY NEW THINGS, I AM REALLY
THANKUFUL TO THEM
SECONDALY, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY PARENTS AND FRIEND
WHO HELPED ME A LOT IN FINALIZING THIS PROJECT WITHIN THE
LIMITED TIMEFRAME
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CERTIFICATE
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT, I ARUSHI GIRI A STUDENT OF CLASS- 12 TH (B)
HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE RESEARCH ON THIS PROJECT,
UNDER MY SUPERVISION
WHO HAS TAKEN THE PROPER CARE AND SHOWN ALMOST SINCERITY IN
THE COMPLETION OF
THIS PROJECT, I CERTIFY THAT THE PROJECT IS UPTO EXPECTATIONS
Teacher’s Examination
Signature Signature
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THE MAGNITUDE OF CHILD LABOUR IN INDIA
Child labour is a pervasive issue that has plagued societies across the
world, with India being no exception. This essay aims to shed light on the
magnitude of child labour in India, exploring its causes, consequences,
and potential solutions. By understanding the gravity of this problem, we
can collectively work towards eradicating this social evil.
Magnitude of Child Labour in India One must acknowledge that at policy
level India has all along followed a proactive policy in addressing the
problem of child labour and has always stood for constitutional, statutory
and INCON13-GEN-041 4 developmental measures that are required to
eliminate child labour. The Constitution of India has relevant provisions to
secure compulsory universal primary education. Labour Commissions
and Committees have gone into the problems of child labour and made
extensive recommendations. India’s judiciary, right up to the apex level,
has demonstrated profoundly empathetic responses against the practice
of child labour. Despite several proactive legislations, policies and judicial
prouncements, the problem of child labour persists as a challenge to the
country. The corresponding fall in boys and girls workforce during 1983 to
2004-05 is observed to have decreased from 1.206 cr. to 47.6 lacks, and
94.9 lacks to 43.1 lacks, respectively. In effect, the gender difference that
existed between boys and girls (adverse against boys) during the early
1980s has almost dissipated in recent years, the difference being slowed
down from 25.7 lack to roughly 4.5 lacks. However, in absolute numbers,
the problem is large. As per the Census 2001, there are 1.26 crores
economically active children in the age-group of 5-14 years. It was 1.13
crores in the 1991 Census. The magnitude of child labour in India has
been witnessing decline in the last two decades, both in terms of
magnitude and workforce participation rates. Evidence drawn from the
National Sample Survey data suggest that India’s child workforce during
2004-05 was estimated at little over 90.7 lacks as against 2.155 cr. in
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1983. During this period, the number of child employment has declined by
1.248 cr. A bigger fall in child workforce is observed among boys than
girls
I. DEFINITION AND TYPES OF CHILD LABOUR:
Child labour refers to the employment of children in any work that deprives them of their
childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular schools, and is mentally, physically,
socially, or morally harmful. It encompassVses a wide range of activities, such as domestic
work, agricultural labor, street vending, construction, and hazardous industries.
II. PREVALENCE OF CHILD LABOUR IN INDIA:
Child labour remains a significant issue in India, with a staggering number of children
engaged in various forms of work. According to recent estimates, there are approximately
10.1 million child laborers between the ages of 5 and 14 in the country. The problem is
particularly acute in rural areas, where poverty, lack of education, and social norms
contribute to its prevalence.
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III. CAUSES OF CHILD LABOUR:
Several factors contribute to the perpetuation of child labour in India:
1. POVERTY
2. LACK OF EDUCATION
3. ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES
4. INDEBTEDNESS
5. EMPLOYMENT (OR LACK OF EMPLOYMENT)
6. LANDLESSNESS AT RURAL AREAS FOR MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION
7. WEAK POLICY OF LEGAL FRAMEWORK 8. WEAK SOCIAL AWARENESS
Poverty:Poverty is a primary driver of child labour, as families often rely on the income
generated by their children to make ends meet.
Lack of Education:Limited access to quality education and high dropout rates force
children into the labor force, further perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
Ineffective Legislation:Weak enforcement of laws and lax implementation of child labor
regulations contribute to the persistence of child labor practices.
Social and Cultural Norms: Deep-rooted social attitudes, caste-based discrimination,
and traditional practices normalize child labor in certain communities.
IV. CONSEQUENCES OF CHILD LABOUR :
The implications of child labour are far-reaching and have a detrimental impact on various
aspects of a child's life:
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Education:Child labor denies children the opportunity to receive formal education,
limiting their future prospects and perpetuating illiteracy.
Health:Working in hazardous conditions exposes children to physical and psychological
harm, compromising their overall well-being.
Exploitation:Child laborers are often subject to exploitation, abuse, and trafficking,
making them vulnerable to a range of rights violations.
Long-term Socioeconomic Effects:The perpetuation of child labor traps families and
communities in a cycle of poverty, hindering overall development.
V. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND INTERNATIONAL
EFFORTS:
Recognizing the severity of the issue, the Indian government, along with
international organizations, has taken steps to combat child labour:
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Legislation and Policy Frameworks: India has enacted laws such as the
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016, to
strengthen the legal framework and protect children from exploitation.
Universal Education:The Right to Education Act, 2009, aims to
provide free and compulsory education for all children between the ages
of 6 and 14, encouraging school enrollment and reducing child labour.
Social Welfare Programs: Government initiatives like the National Child
Labour Project and the Integrated Child Protection Scheme provide
support and rehabilitation for rescued child laborers.
International Cooperation: Collaborative efforts between India and
international bodies, such as UNICEF and ILO, are crucial in addressing
child labour through awareness campaigns, capacity building, and
advocacy.
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VI. SOLUTIONS AND THE WAY FORWARD:
To address the magnitude of child labour in India, a comprehensive and multi-faceted
approach is necessary:
Education and Awareness: Increasing access to quality education and raising
awareness about the importance of eliminating child labour are essential steps.
Poverty Alleviation: Government programs targeting poverty reduction, job creation, and
social security can help alleviate the economic pressures that lead to child labour.
Strengthening Legislation: Stricter enforcement of existing laws, along with
amendments to close loopholes, is crucial in curbing child labour.
Corporate Responsibility: Businesses should adopt responsible practices, ensuring their
supply chains are free from child labour and supporting initiatives that promote children's
rights.
CONCLUSION:
Child labour and poverty are inevitably bound together and if you continue
to use the labour of children as the treatment for the social disease of
poverty, you will have both poverty and child labour to the end of time”
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(Grace Abbott). The issue of child labour has been around for centuries. We
need to do more to put an end to child labour and give every child the
chance to have a childhood. We can start by supporting organisations that
are working to end child labour, and by raising awareness of the issue so
that more people will join the fight. With our help, one day all children will
be able to enjoy their childhoods.
