Child Labour in India
Despite legal and constitutional safeguards, India still faces a significant child labour problem. Estimates suggest millions of children, particularly in rural areas, are engaged in various activities like agriculture, brick kilns, domestic work, and garment manufacturing.
Despite the laws and protections in place, India continues to deal with the issue of child labour. It is estimated that millions of children, specifically in rural areas, are involved in different activities such as agriculture, brick kilns, domestic work, and garment manufacturing.
Some statistics regarding Child Labour in India:
- According to Census 2011 data, there are 10.1 million child labourers in India, including 5.6 million boys and 4.5 million girls.
- About 42.7 million youngsters in India are not attending school. However, between 2001 and 2011, the number of children employed in India fell by 2.6 million.
- Of these, 10.1 million (3.9% of the total kid population) work as ‘main or marginal’ workers.’
- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh account for roughly 55% of all working children in India.
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act is an Indian law that prohibits the employment of children in certain occupations and regulates the conditions of work of children in certain other employments. The Act defines a child as a person who has not completed 14 years of age. It prohibits private, government, or semi-government companies, organisations, civil departments, or a child’s family from employing a child or adolescent in any occupation or process. The Act also lays down enhanced penalties for the employment of children in violation of its provisions and other Acts that forbid the employment of children.
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986