Child labour is a major problem not just in India, but all over the developing and underdeveloped world. Many people who are unaware of the fact argue that child labour should not be considered a crime because a child is compelled to work to feed their family out of a desperate situation.
But people fail to understand that this destroys their childhood, which is an important phase of one’s life. What is more dangerous is that children working as labourers get exposed to harmful vices prevalent in society, such as violence, addiction and other criminal activities. Often, the kids get involved in them and harms them mentally, physically, socially and morally.
Child Labour Statistics
- There are 10.13 million child labourers in India between the age of 5-14 years (Census data, 2011).
- Child labour in 2011 has decreased by around 20% (Census data, 2011).
- There are 22.87 million working children in India between the age of 15-18 years.
- As per the 2011 Census, one in every 11 children (i.e. 5-18 years of age) are working.
- Over 80% of the child labour in India is concentrated in rural areas.
The ILO 2016 data indicates that there are 152 million working children in the world between 5-17 years, of which 23.8 million children are in India. So, 16% of the working children (or every sixth working child) in this age group is in India.
People who employ children as labour defend themselves by saying that their employment is actually helping the child and their family earn some money. Seemingly true, but it not the fact. I happen to lead and participate in many raids that rescue child labourers. During questioning, I have heard similar replies from employers. Employing child as a labour is a crime without exception. Forcing children to join labour during their childhood is plain exploitation and harassment of the child.
In most of the cases, children are made to work for 10-15 hours a day and given very small wage that is not enough for their survival. Actually, children are preferred because they work more in return for lesser wages. Moreover, they never complain of the injustice, abuse and unhealthy working conditions forced upon them. Hence, employers are not helping the child out by employing them. In fact, they are exploiting them. A South Indian movie named Sketch aptly showcases the plight of child labourer and the impact of a work environment on them.
One of the reasons for child labour practice is the confusion regarding the age of child. It should be clear to all the stake holders that as per the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and International Labour Organisation (ILO), a child is defined as “any human being below the age of 18 years.” India is signatory to both of them and, hence, is bound to follow their guidelines.
Child labour is the creation of humans and it can get vanished by humans only. There is a need for both awareness and action. By creating awareness, we can prevent child labour and by action, we can rescue existing child labourers. Once we boycott hotels, shops and any industries that employ children, automatically, it will lead to a decrease in child labour. We as individuals as well as society must stand firm on this burning issue to solve it for the betterment of our future. The minimum action one can take is call the 1098 child Line number and inform them about any incident of child labour.
Today is World Day Against Child Labour, which aims to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour. It was spurred by the ratification of the ILO Convention No 138 on the minimum age for employment and ILO Convention No 182 on the worst forms of child labour. The World Day Against Child Labour, which is held every year on June 12, is intended to foster the worldwide movement against child labour in any of its forms.
In view of the above, child labour needs to be clearly understood, explained and prevented in all its forms by society in order to safe-guard the future of children, our future.