Child labour refers to the employment of children in a cartable occupations or national contribution to the income of the family. It is both an economic and social evil in that it leads to serious health hazards and denies them opportunity for physical and mental development.

Causes

• Poverty:Many families are unable to afford the basic needs of life and send their children to work instead of school. Poverty also forces some children to work as bonded labourers or migrate to other places in search of work.
• Social norms:Some communities and families have a tradition of making their children work in certain occupations, such as agriculture, carpet weaving, or domestic service. Some also believe that education is not important or suitable for girls.
• Lack of decent work opportunities for adults and adolescents:Due to the high unemployment rate and low wages, many adults and young people are unable to find decent and dignified work. This leads them to engage in informal and hazardous work or push their children into labour.
• Poor School Infrastructure: Many schools in India lack adequate facilities, teachers, and quality education. Some schools also charge fees or other expenses that are unaffordable for poor families. These factors discourage parents from sending their children to school and make them drop out.
• Emergencies:Natural disasters, conflicts, and pandemics can disrupt the normal functioning of society and increase the vulnerability of children. Some children may lose their parents, homes, or access to basic services. They may be forced to work for survival or be exploited by traffickers and other perpetrators.

Parents often take the help of children to supplement their own earnings, and this is major reason for the widespread prevalence of child labour in the informal sector. Women are given law and unequal wages. Sexual harassment is common but unarticulated due to fear of loss of employment There is no question of paid leave and maternity benefits. The use of cheap labour in the informal sector is the major source of profit for employers and contractors who exploit the workers lack of collective bargaining power and state regulation.

Road ahead

• Strengthening the Legal Framework and its Enforcement: The government should enact and amend laws that prohibit and regulate child labour, in line with the international standards and conventions.
  • It should also ensure that the laws are effectively implemented and enforced, by allocating adequate resources, capacity, coordination, data, accountability and political will. 
  • The penalties for violating the child labour laws should be severe and consistent.
• Providing Social Protection and Economic Support:The government should provide comprehensive social protection and economic support to poor and vulnerable families, to prevent them from resorting to child labour as a coping mechanism.
  • This could include regular cash transfers, subsidies, pensions, health insurance, food security, etc. 
  • The government should also facilitate access to credit, savings, microfinance and other livelihood opportunities for poor households.
• Ensuring Universal and Quality Education:The government should ensure that all children have access to free and compulsory education up to the age of 14 years, as per the Right to Education Act 2009 and Article 21A of the Constitution.
  • It should also improve the quality, relevance, safety and inclusiveness of education, by providing adequate infrastructure, teachers, curriculum, materials, scholarships, etc. 
  • It should also follow up with children who drop out or do not enrol in school, and provide them with bridge education, vocational training or alternative learning opportunities.
• Raising Awareness and Mobilizing Action:The government should collaborate with civil society organizations, media, corporations and citizens to raise awareness about the harmful effects of child labour and the importance of child rights.
  • It should also mobilize action and support for the initiatives against child labour, by creating platforms, campaigns, networks, coalitions, etc. 
  • The role of Panchayats can also be explored for raising awareness.
• Responding to Emergencies and Crises:The government should prepare for and respond to emergencies and crises that may increase the risk of child labour, such as conflicts, disasters, pandemics or economic shocks.
  • It should provide humanitarian assistance and protection to affected children and families, such as food, water, shelter, health care, psychosocial support, etc. 
  • It should also ensure the continuity of education and social protection services during and after the crises.