INDEX
SL NO CONTENTS PAGE NO
1 CERTIFICATE 1
2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 2
3 KEY OBJECTIVE 3-5
4 ACTION PLAN 6
5 INTERVIEW 8
QUESTIONNAIRE
6 CASE STUDY 9
7 PROJECT REPORT
8 STUDENTS 10-11
REFLECTIONS
9 PHOTOGRAPHS 12
10 BIBLIOGRAPHY 13
MRS SHANTA VERMA
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Hemang Singh of class 12 'C' has successfully completed the ALS
based Project Portfolio for the session 2024-25 on the topic SOCIAL ISSUES IN
INDIA – CHILD LABOUR under the guidance of Mrs Shanta Verma. She has adhered
to timeline specified by the Board for the planning, preparation and submitted the
project portfolio in stipulated time.
TEACHER’S SIGNATURE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the
completion of this project. First and foremost, I am extremely thankful to my teacher,
Mrs. Shanta Verma, for their guidance encouragement, and support throughout this
project. Their insightful feedback and expertise were invaluable in shaping my ideas and
improving my work.
I would also like to thank my classmates and friends for their cooperation and motivation,
which inspired me to work harder and accomplish my goals. Finally, I am grateful to my
family for their constant support and encouragement.
Without the support of these individuals, this project would not have been
possible
CHILD LABOUR
KEY OBJECTIVE
CHILD LABOUR :
Child labour refers to the employment of children in work that is mentally,
physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful to them. It often deprives
them of opportunities to attend school, pursue personal development, and enjoy
their childhood. Child labour typically involves work that interferes with a
child’s ability to receive an education and can place children in hazardous
situations or exploitative conditions, often for little or no pay.
The term generally applies to work that children are too young for, according to
national or international standards, or work that may be acceptable for adults
but is dangerous or inappropriate for children. Various international
organizations, like the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF,
actively work to reduce child labour and promote policies to protect children’s
rights
Child labour impedes children from gaining the skills and education they need
to have opportunities of decent work as an adult. Inequality, lack of educational
opportunities, slow demographic transition, traditions and cultural expectations
all contribute to the persistence of child labour in India. Age, sex, ethnicity,
caste and deprivation affect the type and intensity of work that children perform.
Agriculture and informal sector employment continue to be sectors where
children end up work
CAUSES :
Child labour is driven by several complex and
interconnected factors, including:
1. Poverty: The primary cause of child labor is poverty. In families with
extremely low income, children are often forced to work to help meet basic
needs like food, clothing, and shelter.
2. Lack of Education: In many regions, access to quality education is
limited, especially for marginalized communities. When children can't go to
school or afford educational resources, they are more likely to enter the
workforce
3. Unemployment and Underemployment: High unemployment rates
for adults can lead to families relying on children to work, as adults may not
have stable or sufficient income.
4. Cultural Factors: In some communities, there may be a cultural
acceptance of child labour, where it's seen as part of a child's responsibility to
help the family or as preparation for adulthood.
5.Natural Disasters and Climate Change: In areas impacted by natural
disasters or environmental changes, families may lose traditional livelihoods,
pushing children into the workforce to cope with financial instability
Ways to eradicate child labour:
To eradicate child labour:
1. Improve Education Access: Ensure affordable, quality education to keep
children in school.
2. Reduce Poverty: Support low-income families with financial aid and job
creation.
3. Enforce Laws: Strengthen and enforce child labour laws.
4. Raise Awareness: Educate communities on the harms of child labour.
5. Support Family Livelihoods: Promote fair wages for adults to reduce
dependency on child labour.
6.Rehabilitate Former Child Laborers: Provide counseling and skills
training.
Laws of child labour :
Key Laws Against Child Labour
1. ILO Conventions:
Convention No. 138: Sets minimum age for work at 15, to prioritize schooling.
Convention No. 182: Aims to eliminate the worst forms of child labor, like
hazardous work.
2. UN Convention on the Rights of the Child:
Ensures protection from economic exploitation and work that harms education
or health.
3.National Laws (Examples):
India: Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act bans employment of
children under 14 in hazardous jobs
U.S.: Fair Labor Standards Act restricts working hours and types of work for minors.
ACTION PLAN
1. Selection of the topic
2. Selection of the group members
3. Approval of the topic by teacher in charge
4. Preparation of interview questionnaire
5. Data collection and Analysis
6. Preparation of detailed report
INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Why does child labour exist?
2. What is the role of the Indian constitution in preventing child
labour?
3. What is the role of international labour organization ( ILO ) ?
4. When does child work become child labour?
5. Under which rights child labour is banned?
6. What are the forms of child labour ?
7. Main reason for employing children ?
8. Why do parents send their children to work ?
9. Will child labour decrease as poor country develop ?
10. Which age is known as child labour ?
CASE STUDY :
As per Census 2011, the total child population in India in the age group (5-14)
years is 259.6 million. Of these, 10.1 million (3.9% of total child population)
are working, either as ‘main worker’ or as ‘marginal worker’. In addition, more
than 42.7 million children in India are out of school. However, the good news is
that the incidence of child labour has decreased in India by 2.6 million between
2001 and 2011. However, the decline was more visible in rural areas, while the
number of child workers has increased in urban areas, indicating the growing
demand for child workers in menial jobs. Child labour has different
ramifications in both rural and urban India.
GLOBAL FACTS AND FIGURES :
The global figure of child labourers stands at 168 million (2012). - Asia and the
Pacific still has the largest numbers of child labourers (almost 78 million or
9.3% of child population), but Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the region
with the highest incidence of child labour (59 million, over 21%). - Globally,
agriculture remains by far the most prominent sector where child labourers can
be found (98 million), but the problems are not negligible in services (54
million) and industry (12 million). This is found to be the case mostly in the
informal economy.
REPORT
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.
5 Major Child Labour Causes :
Poverty, unemployment, lack of access to quality education, lack of awareness, lack of
enforcement laws and debt bondage are some of the common causes of child labour.
Understanding all the causes of child labour is very important to eradicating its practice.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Pro-child Laws: Today, various NGOs are working in collaboration with local and
state governments to implement pro-child laws.
5. 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.
PHOTOGRAPHS
BIBLIOGRAPHY :
http://www.wikipedia.com/
http://www.pinterest.com/
http://www.leverageedu.com/
http://www.unicef.org/
THANKYOU
