As part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, India has taken a pledge to eliminate child labour by 2025 but there was an estimated 7.8 Million Child Labours in 2023.
1) Laws Regulating Child Labour in India
➡ Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 - Primary legislation governing Child Labour. Prohibits employment of children below age of 14 in certain hazardous occupations
➡ Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 - This Act focuses on the care, protection, treatment, and rehabilitation of children.
➡ Factories Act, 1948 - This Act regulates the working conditions in factories.
➡ Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
2) Role of NGOs and Organisations in combating Child Labour
➡ It was on the basis of a complaint by Bachpan Bachao Andolan that NCPCR was able to rescue the children from Som Distilleries.
➡ Different organisations like Save the Children, Bachpan Bachao Andolan and CRY advocate for stronger laws to protect children.
➡ These NGOs offer rehabilitation support to rescued child labourers.
➡ They engage with communities and run awareness campaign about illegality of Child Labour.
3) Legal Loopholes in the System
➡ No uniform legal definition of " Child" under Indian Laws.
➡ Ambiguity in law- Offence employing children is cognisable under the CALPRA but non-cognisable under the JJ Act.
➡ Adolescents between 14 to 17 allowed to work in Non Hazardous industries - Definition of Hazardous not clear.
➡ Allowing Children below 14 to work in Family enterprises.
➡ Penalties for employing Child Labour are very lenient.
4) Suggestions to fight the Child Labour Issue
➡ More stringent definitions and broader categories of hazardous work under Laws.
➡ Punishment for illegally employing children should be made be tougher.
➡ Improving the economic prospects of Lower paid workers and families.
➡ Strengthening the Enforcement Mechanisms
➡ Public Awareness programmes to educate families and employers.
5) Different Government and Company initiatives to eliminate Child Labour
➡ National Child Labour Project- Central government initiative that rescues and rehabilitates child labourers.
➡ Integrated Child Protection Scheme - Create a protective environment for children.
➡ Tata Affirmative Action Program - Empowering underprivileged communities.