“Give the child a pen to hold, not a plate to wash.

My name is Anshi Singh and today I stand before you to present a speech on child
labour. An issue that needs our attention and focus. Let me begin by asking you, have
you ever come across children working in factories or small restaurants to make a
living? It is a shame to see such children working when they should actually be at
school, concentrating on their studies. Child Labour is also described as work that
deprives children of their youth, their future and their dignity, which is detrimental to
physical and mental health.I feel very proud to be the citizen of India however, on the
other hand, it makes me shame also that our country is a home to largest number of
child laborers all over the world. It is just because of some greedy and clever Indian
citizens who involve small children in hazardous labour at low labour cost for their
benefits. They never think about the development of their country; they are very selfish
and want their own benefits only. India is a developing country in spite of the recent
economic boom, one-third of the Indian population lives below the poverty line
which is considered to be the primary reason for child labour in our country.
People living in such conditions don’t have food to eat and that is the reason they
make their children work. World Day Against Child Labour aims to focus
attention on the global extent of child labor and the action and efforts
needed to eliminate it. Each year on 12 June, the World Day brings
together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil
society, as well as millions of people from around the world to
highlight the plight of child laborers and what can be done to help
them.This international day was launched by the International Labour
Organization (ILO) in 2002. child labour has been a big social issue which
interferes the nation’s development to a great extent. As we all know that children
become the future of the country so why people are using child labour only for their
small benefits. Why they do not see from our eyes, why they do not let small children to
live their sweet childhood? Why they keep small children away from their right of
education. Some of the industrialists and businessmen involve children in some kind of
employment at very low cost labour. They do so only for their greediness of getting
efficient work at low cost of labour.Child labor remains to be a serious challenge to
the happiness of children. According to the national census of India, the number of
child labor (aged 4-15 years ) in 1998 was around 12.6 million, between 2009-2010 it
was around 4.98 million (aged 5-14 years) and in 2011 it was around 4.35 million (aged
5-14).So the next question that comes to everyone’s mind is what is the situation
of child labor in India? According to the 2018 report of ILO, about 13 million
children between the age of 5-15 are engaged in child labour in India. According
to the UNICEF, it is estimated that the highest number of child labour is in India (under
14 years of age) all over the world. According The situation is grimmer in the poorest
countries of the world, where nearly 25% of child population is engaged in child labour.
Poverty and illiteracy is the main causes of child labour. When children are employed
at such a young age their chances to attend school and complete education is
highly impossible. The majority of these children are of age 5-15 and they work
almost 16 hours per day to help their families make ends meet.
As children grow older, their involvement in getting odd jobs also increases as
they have to provide for their families. Here we see that child labour is decreasing
year wise however, the question is, why we are not able to finish it completely even
after living in an advanced era? Why it is decreasing very slowly, and not has finished
yet? I think the main reason behind it; people have not developed their mind level
positively yet. There is still the existence of dictatorship of rich people over poor people
in the society. There is a big gap between rich and poor; well developed people have
not capacity to accept equality in the society.Being a student, I truly believe that “A child
is meant to learn and not to earn. Save children by stopping Child Labour.”want to conclude my
speech with this statement. The Indian Government had passed a law against child
labour in 1993 forbidding dangerous work that could cause harm to children
under the age of 18. In spite of this, people exploit the law as there are many
loopholes in the system which includes corrupted government officials. to the
International Labour Organization, around 60% of all the child labour is involved in
agriculture whereas 70% by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture
Organization.More specifically, it is important to stress how education empowers kids
and enhances their lives. Child labour does not simply imply that children are forced to
serve. It has many and horrific side effects. It leaves a shadow on the mind of the kid. It
jeopardises their mental and emotional well-being, as well as their capacity to learn and
develop naturally. It is a stain on humanity’s skin and must be removed as quickly and
efficiently as possible. After all, what kind of people do we want them to become due to
such treatment? We ought to consider it. Children are our society’s and country’s
potential. We can’t expect real growth and success unless and until our youth are
secure and balanced in every way. As you complain about the minor things in life, there
are thousands of barefoot kids that toil day and night in horrendous temperatures
surrounded by explosives and toxic gases. What did they do to deserve this? Is it not
your duty to help them?

I It is unfortunate to accept the fact that child labour still exists in the 21st Century. The laws should
be strengthened. You must inform the concerned authorities when such incidents come to your
notice. “Say no to Child Labour. Let them earn knowledge, not money.”

Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!