Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

Child labor remains a significant challenge in India, with millions of children engaged in work instead of receiving education and enjoying their childhood.

• Despite protections, including Article 24 of the Indian Constitution, the practice persists due to complex socio-economic factors.

Body

Root Causes of Child Labor in India

• Poverty and Economic Necessity: Poverty remains a primary driver of child labor in India.
  • Multidimensional poverty in India was 11.28% in 2022-23.
  • A study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) found that in some rural areas, child workers contribute up to 25-40% of the family income.
  • This economic dependence creates a cycle where children are compelled to work instead of attending school, perpetuating intergenerational poverty and limiting future opportunities for social mobility.
• Lack of Access to Quality Education: Despite improvements in India's education system, access to quality education remains a challenge for many children.
  • According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023, 42% of children in the 14 to 18 age group in rural India have difficulty in reading.
  • The UDISE+ 2021-22 data shows that the dropout rate is highest at the secondary level (9-10) with 12.6%.
• Inadequate Law Enforcement: While India has comprehensive laws against child labor, enforcement remains a significant challenge.
  • The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2016 prohibits employment of children below 14 years in all occupations, with some exceptions.
  • However, lack of labor inspectors and the prevalence of informal sector employment make it difficult to monitor and prosecute violations effectively.
• Demand for Cheap Labor: The demand for cheap, unskilled labor in various industries perpetuates child labor.
  • Sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and domestic work often rely on child workers to reduce costs.

Effectiveness of Government Programs in Eradicating Child Labor:

• National Child Labour Project (NCLP): The NCLP, launched in 1988, aims to rehabilitate child workers through education and vocational training.
  • However, its effectiveness has been limited by insufficient funding and inadequate monitoring.
  • The program's impact has been further diluted by its inability to address root causes like poverty and lack of quality mainstream education.
• Right to Education Act (RTE): Implemented in 2010, the RTE Act mandates free and compulsory education for all children aged 6-14.
  • While the RTE has improved access to education, it has not necessarily provided quality education that could effectively compete with the immediate economic benefits of child labor.
• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Provides a legal framework for the care and protection of children. However, its implementation varies across states.
• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Focuses on universalizing elementary education, indirectly addressing child labor by providing alternatives. However, challenges persist in terms of retention.
• PENCIL (Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour): An online portal to ensure effective enforcement of the provisions of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.
  • Its primary functions include centralizing child labor data, facilitating complaint registration, and coordinating response efforts among government agencies, NGOs, and the public. However, its implementation has remained weak

Way Forward

• Educate to Elevate: Ensure effective implementation of National Education Policy 2020, Improve the quality of education in government schools by enhancing teacher training and infrastructure.
  • Introduce skill-based learning from the primary level to make education more relevant and engaging.
• Empower Families, Empower Children: Expand and improve conditional cash transfer programs to incentivize families to keep children in school.
  • Provide vocational training and microfinance opportunities to parents to increase household income.
• Community Champions: Train local leaders as child labor prevention advocates to create grassroots-level awareness.
  • Establish community vigilance committees to monitor and report child labor cases.
  • Organize awareness campaigns in vulnerable areas and implement peer education programs for children and parents to foster community-driven change.
• Law with Teeth: Increase the number and capacity of labor inspectors to improve enforcement of child labor laws.
  • Implement stricter penalties for employers of child labor and establish fast-track courts for speedy resolution of cases.
• Bridge the Gap: Develop targeted programs for rescued child laborers to reintegrate them into society.
  • Provide accelerated learning programs to help children catch up academically and offer counseling and rehabilitation services.
  • Create mentorship programs pairing rescued children with successful adults to inspire and guide them.
• Corporate Accountability: Mandate child labor audits for all businesses and implement preferential government contracts for child labor-free companies.
  • Encourage corporate social responsibility initiatives focused on education and skill development in vulnerable communities.

Conclusion

Eradicating child labor requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses both the immediate causes and the underlying structural issues to protect child rights and ensure their education as highlighted by the Supreme Court in M.C. Mehta vs State Of Tamil Nadu And Others. While government programs have made some progress, concerted efforts are needed to create a child-labor-free India.