Child labor, a social issue of global concern, has been at the forefront of news recently following an incident involving a couple accused of hiring a 10-year-old girl as domestic help. The child was not only responsible for taking care of their 4-year-old son but also fell victim to several instances of physical and mental abuse. This incident has highlighted the pervasive issue of child labor in domestic work.
Understanding Child Labor in Domestic Work
Child labor in domestic work refers to the employment of children below the minimum legal age in hazardous conditions or in situations akin to slavery. Child labor can also involve long, exhausting workdays, exposure to toxic chemicals, carrying heavy loads, handling dangerous items like knives and hot pans, and inadequate provision of food and accommodation. The International Labour Organization (ILO) identifies these risks as more severe when the child lives in the employer’s household.
Child Labor in India: A Status Check
In 2021, around 982 cases were registered under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, according to India’s National Crime Records Bureau. Telangana reported the highest number of cases, followed by Assam. A study by Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), revealed a significant increase in the proportion of working children from 28.2% to 79.6% out of 818 surveyed children, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic and school closures. The top states employing child laborers are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Socio-economic Factors Influencing Child Labor in Domestic Work in India
Conditions such as the socio-economic status of families and lack of policies ensuring adequate wages for adult workers often lead to the prevalence of child labor. These circumstances compel children from impoverished households to contribute to the family income, often resulting in them being underpaid and forced to work beyond their capacity. Marginalized communities are more likely to be targeted for these practices. Poor school infrastructure also plays a role as inadequate facilities and unaffordable fees discourage parents from sending their children to school, making them more susceptible to child labor.
The Socio-Economic Impact of Child Labor
Child labor has wide-ranging impacts on society and economy. It hampers children’s ability to accumulate skills and knowledge, affecting their future productivity and income; perpetuates poverty by keeping wages low for unskilled work; slows down long-term economic growth and development by impeding technological progress; deprives children of their rights to education, health, protection, and participation; undermines social development; and exposes children to hazards and exploitation, adversely affecting their health and life expectancy.
Government Efforts to Tackle Child Labor in India
Various initiatives have been taken by the Indian government to curb child labor. These include the Right to Education Act (2009), Article 24 of the constitution banning employment of children under 14 years, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (1986), Factories Act (1948), National Policy on Child Labour (1987), Pencil Portal, and ratification of international conventions such as the Minimum Age Convention (1973) – No. 138 and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999) – No. 182.
Moving Forward: Recommendations to Eradicate Child Labor
To eradicate child labor, there is a need for stricter enforcement of laws aligned with international standards. The government should provide comprehensive social protection and economic support to poor families to prevent reliance on child labor as a survival strategy. It is also crucial for all children to have access to free and compulsory education up to the age of 14 years, as mandated by the Right to Education Act and Article 21A of the Indian Constitution.
UPSC Civil Services Examination: Previous Year Questions on Child Labor
In the 2018 Prelims of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, a question was asked related to the ILO’s Conventions 138 and 182, which concern child labor. In the Mains examination of 2016, an analysis of the provisions of the National Child Policy and its implementation status was expected from the aspirants.
