Child Labour refers to the practice of
engaging children in economic activities. These children are deprived of
primary education and exposed to mental and physical dangers. The curse of
child labour has deeply penetrated in Indian society. In the latter part of the
20th century, child labour remains a serious problem in many parts of the
world. Many of these children live in underdeveloped countries in Latin
America, Africa, and Asia. Their living conditions are crude and their chances
for education minimal. The income they bring in is, however, necessary for the
survival of their families. In other cases, children are bonded, working to pay
off an initial cash advance from the employer with escalating interest which
leaves them effectively slaves. In this project , information has been shared
on some of the legal and programmatic initiatives undertaken in India over the
last decade or so to address the problem of child labour. These programs remain
committed to the full eradication of all forms of child labour wherever it
might exist in India, beginning with the most exploitative and hazardous forms
and have adopted this goal as part of national policy. Both the Indian courts
and the National Human Rights Commission have been paying increasing attention
to the issue. India has also been participating in the International Program on
Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) of the ILO. But the problem remains vast,
and finding resources for rehabilitation schemes, given the magnitude of the
problem, is a continuing challenge.
The
International Labour Organization estimates that 215 million children between
the ages of 5 and 17 currently work under conditions that are considered
illegal, hazardous, or extremely exploitative. Underage children work at all
sorts of jobs around the world, usually because they and their families are
extremely poor. Large numbers of children work in commercial agriculture,
fishing, manufacturing, mining, and domestic service. Some children work in
illicit activities like the drug trade and prostitution or other traumatic activities
such as serving as soldiers. Child labour is serious threat to Economic
growth. Uneducated children of today cannot contribute much in the economic
prosperity of the country. At present the outlook of educated men has been
completely changed. They acknowledge the significance of manual labour. Even
educated young men of upper class do not hesitate to do all sorts of laborious
work. They have felt that there is dignity of labour. They must labour to earn
their bread instead of being burdens to others. An ordinary labourer without
education is better than an idle educated man because he earns his bread with
the sweat of his brow. His work is as sacred as to worship God.
About the Author:
The Author is Ms. Rachna Mehta, TGT Maths, Meenakshi Public School
www.meenakshipublicschool.com
