INTRODUCTION

Child labour means making children do some kind of work, that potentially deprives them of their ‘childhood’ and further hinders their overall physical as well as mental well-being and growth. The joys of childhood are unwillingly and forcefully snatched away from them, depriving them from getting even proper education. This is an extremely important issue, affecting many kids around the world and it’s essential to raise awareness about the same.

“There is no reason, there is no excuse because Child labour is eventually Child abuse”.

I read this quote in a newspaper once and I genuinely felt bad for those children and their tiny hands. Those hands; that are meant to be holding books, copies and pens at the moment are being used to make big buildings and towers!

It’s extremely disheartening to see how little we think of these children and how their parents are letting them engage in such activities that will potentially harm them.

Now let us delve deeper into this topic and discuss it’s various aspects!

CAUSES

Child labour is a complicated issue with innumerable causes.

Poverty is one of the main causes of child labour, as families struggling to meet basic needs that are essential for survival, may see child labour as an alternative to earn more money. Moreover, children in such families are also deprived of basic educational facilities, because of which they become illiterate and do not develop skills that could potentially break the trap of poverty that they are stuck in at the moment. Societal norms also contribute, as some communities may not prioritize the rights and well-being of children, perpetuating the acceptance of child labour. Lack of enforcement or weak legal frameworks fails to deter exploitative practices, allowing businesses to engage in child labour without facing any of its consequences in return. Additionally, the global demand for cheap quality of goods as well as services can create incentives for unscrupulous employers to exploit child labour, especially in such industries where the main concern is production cost.

Hence, it is essential for a comprehensive approach to come into picture that addresses the root causes, including poverty alleviation, improved access to education and strengthened legal protections. International cooperation and responsible business practices are extremely crucial since they shall help in the creation of sustainable solutions to eradicate child labour and ensure that all the children have a brighter and a more exciting future.

DATA

India has been struggling with child labour issues. In 2011, the census reported approximately 10.1 million child labourers aged 5-14 in the country. Several factors contribute to child labour in India including poverty, lack of educational opportunities and socio-cultural factors. Efforts have been made to address this issue through legislation, such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act,2016, which prohibits the employment of children below 14 in hazardous occupations.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government initiatives have also played a role in combating child labour, focusing on rehabilitation, education as well as various other innumerable awareness programs. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as well as the International Labour Organization (ILO) has also been conducting various surveys in order to obtain relevant data pertaining to child labour in India.

CONSEQUENCES

Child labour has far-reaching consequences on a child’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. Deprived of a proper education, these children have extremely limited opportunities for personal and professional growth, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Also, exposure to hazardous conditions in certain industries poses immediate risks to their health and safety, which can leave long-lasting impacts on their future. There are many societal consequences as well such as Undermining Human Rights, Social Disintegration etc. Child labour violates the fundamental rights of children, denying them the right to education, protection as well as a safe and healthy environment. It disrupts family and community dynamics as children are forced to work instead of receiving proper care and education. This can lead to a breakdown of social structures ad intergenerational poverty. Along with all the consequences mentioned above, there further are some national consequences. They include Economic Implications, Human Capital Loss, Social Welfare Burden etc. It deprives children of education, leading to a less skilled workforce, reduced productivity and limited opportunities for economic advancement. It also results in the loss of potential human capital as children are denied education and skill development. This diminishes the capacity of the nation to compete globally and achieve sustainable development goals. Moreover, the physical and psychological consequences lead to increased healthcare and social welfare costs for the nation. Governments must allocate resources to address these issues, diverting funds from all other critical areas.

PREVENTION

Preventing child labour in our nation is essential. Some key measures to prevent child labour include:

• Providing educational facilities: One way of eradicating child labour in India is by providing the children with adequate educational facilities and making sure that they are making use of them. It should be made sure that all children can learn and grow, both mentally and physically, rather than being forced to work. It should be realised by their parents, who often make them work, that their education is currently more important than earning some extra money for the family by engaging in odd jobs.
• Awareness of various laws: A strict law is extremely essential to curb the situation of child labour. Our country, India has come up with Article 24 according to which, no children below the age of 14 years should be engaged in any sort of hazardous environment for work purposes. Different NGOs are also working on these policies and laws along with authorities to prevent child labour.
• Having a conscious discussion with the parents of child labourers: While spreading awareness has motivated many parents to enrol their children in schools, there are still many parents who consider earning more important than education. Often major problems in our country and their solutions require nothing but just a face-to-face communication. Hence, it is essential to have a discussion with such parents to understand their problems and then offer a solution for the same, thereby contributing in the eradication of child labour. Many NGOs like CRY India are working to stop child labour. They also convince parents of many child labourers in order to offer these children a new life by sending them to school instead of work.
• Partnering with NGOs or movements: In order to impact society on a larger ground, one of the solutions for child labour is to be a part of different movements and campaigns run by different NGOs. The aim of the NGOs remains to work on the ground level so that results can be noticed. These NGOs also work with several authorities and this makes such movements all the more impactful.
• Stopping people from employing children in homes, factories, shops etc.: One of the major reasons why child labour is not reduced is that people do not stop employing children. So, responsible citizens of India should take preventive measures to stop other people from employing children in homes, shops and factories. One of the ways is to stop buying items for a shop that has employed a child for work, because when children stop getting work, half of the issues will be solved. These children would then rather go to school to make a great future and career for themselves.

CONCLUSION

I would like to conclude this article by saying that the eradication of child labour is not only a moral imperative but is also essential for building a sustainable and just society. While progress has been made in many parts of the country, there is still much work to be done. It requires a collective effort from individuals, governments and businesses to enforce and strengthen laws against child labour, invest in education and social programs and also create opportunities for families to escape this trap of poverty that they have been stuck in for decades. By prioritizing the well-being along with the development of our children, we should be on a mission to eradicate child labour and thereafter, help all the generations to come.

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