H.R.

COLLEGE OF COMMERCE & ECONOMICS

FOUNDATION COURSE
SEMESTER-1 2016-2017

Project Title: Child Labour

Student Name: Mahima Naresh Wadhwani
Class: FY BMS Division: B
Roll Number: 119
 Child Labour

Child labour refers to the employment of children in any work that deprives children of their
childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and that is mentally, physically,
socially or morally dangerous and harmful.
Today, throughout the world, around 215 million children work, many full-time. More than half
of them are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments,
slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities including drug trafficking and
prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.

Magnitude of child labour:

According to Census of India, 2001, there were 12.26 million working children in the age group
of 5-14 years as compared to 11.3 million in 1991 revealing an increasing trend in absolute
numbers though the work participation rates of children (5-14) has come down from 5.4 percent
during 1991 to 5 percent during 2001. The recent round of the National Sample Survey (NSSO)
estimates suggests that the child labour in the country is around 8.9 million in 2004/2005 with a
5 NSSO, 2000 “Theories and Concepts” workforce participation rate of 3.4 per cent (NSSO
2004/05). Due to definitional problems, as discussed is this paper, a substantial proportion of
child labour may remain uncounted. Census data shows that there is a decline in the absolute
number as well the percentage of Main workers of children (5-14 to total population in that age
group, from 4.3 percent in 1991 to 2.3 percent in 2001. But there was a substantial increase in
marginal workers in every category of worker irrespective of sex and residence. As a result,
despite the number of main workers declining from 9.08 million in 1991 to 5.78 million in 2001,
the total number of children in the work force increased. A large part of the increase was
accounted for by the increase in marginal workers, which increased from 2.2 million in 1991 to
6.89 million in 2001. Main and Marginal workers put together, the work participation rate
(WPR) of children in the 5-14 age group has declined from 5.4 percent during 1991 to 5 percent
in 2001. The trends between 1991 and 2001 of declining main child workers along with
increasing marginal workers may indicate the changing nature of work done by children. There is
a general trend of marginalization of labour force in the country and this is also reflected in the
Census figures. This is to be seen in the context of decelerating employment growth in general in
the economy during the last decade that is characterized as an era of globalization.

Causes of child labour:

1. Poverty and Unemployment levels are high
Poverty is the greatest single cause behind child labour. For impoverished households, income
from a child's work is usually crucial for his or her own survival or for that of the household.
Income from a child's work is felt to be crucial for his/her own survival or for that of the
household. For some families, income from their children's labour is between 25 to 40% of the
household income.
 The increasing gap between the rich and the poor, privatization of basic services and the neo-
liberal economic policies are causes major sections of the population out of employment and
without basic needs. This adversely affects children more than any other group.

2. Access to compulsory, free education is limited.

Lack of quality universal education has also contributed to children dropping out of school and
entering the labour force. Lack of meaningful alternatives, such as affordable schools and quality
education, is another major factor driving children to harmful labour. Children work because
they have nothing better to do. Many communities, particularly rural areas do not possess
adequate school facilities. Even when schools are sometimes available, they are too far away,
difficult to reach, unaffordable or the quality of education is so poor that parents wonder if going
to school is really worthwhile. In government-run primary schools, even when children show up,
government-paid teachers do not show up 25% of the time.
3. Cultural Causes
Certain cultural beliefs have rationalized child labour and thereby encouraged it. Some view that
work is good for the character-building and skill development of children. In many cultures,
particular where informal economy and small household businesses thrive, the cultural tradition
is that children follow in their parents' footsteps; child labour then is a means to learn and
practice that trade from a very early age. Similarly, in many cultures the education of girls is less
valued or girls are simply not expected to need formal schooling, and these girls pushed into
child labour such as providing domestic services.
4. Macroeconomic causes
Macroeconomic causes encouraged widespread child labour across the world, over most of
human history. They suggest that the causes for child labour include both the demand and the
supply side. While poverty and unavailability of good schools explain the child labour supply
side, they suggest that the growth of low paying informal economy rather than higher paying
formal economy is amongst the causes of the demand side. Other scholars too suggest that
inflexible labour market, size of informal economy, inability of industries to scale up and lack of
modern manufacturing technologies are major macroeconomic factors affecting demand and
acceptability of child labour.
5. Existing laws or codes of conduct are often violated or inadequate.
A major concern is that the actual number of child laborers goes un-detected. Laws that are
meant to protect children from hazardous labour are ineffective and not implemented correctly.

Effects of child labour:

The presence of a large number of child labourers is regarded as a serious issue in terms of
economic welfare. Children who work fail to get necessary education. They do not get the
opportunity to develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and psychologically. Poor working
conditions cause severe health problems to such children. A child labor not just suffers physical
and mental torture but also becomes mentally and emotionally mature too fast which is never a
good sign. In terms of the physical condition of children, children are not ready for long
 monotonous work because they become exhausted more quickly than adults. This reduces their
physical conditions and makes the children more vulnerable to disease.
A growing phenomenon is using children as domestic workers in urban areas. The conditions in
which children work is completely unregulated and they are often made to work without food,
and very low wages, resembling situations of slavery. There are cases of physical, sexual and
emotional abuse of child domestic workers. The argument for domestic work is often that
families have placed their children in these homes for care and employment. The persistence of
child labour is due to the inefficiency of the law, administrative system and because it benefits
employers who can reduce general wage levels. Girl children are often used in domestic labour
within their own homes.
As children are sensitive to influences of toxics, chemicals, noise, pollution, heat and accidents,
as a result of which many children develop lifelong health complications in worst cases, even
lose their lives. A large number of child laborers are employed in mining, manufacturing,
transportation and construction sectors where chances of fatal injuries are quite high. Because of
the environmental influence, underage children suffer from permanent psychological scars. They
do not possess confidence or self-esteem. Many small girls are even made to indulge in
prostitution.
A recent case of child labor came into picture where a 10-year-old kid was beaten to death
because the innocent kid was slow at things. The cruel owner went angry and threw the child
across the room resulting in the most extreme punishments. It was not only the cruel owner who
was at the fault, but the parents of the child were also equally involved in this incident.

Responses:
As a response to the problem of Child Labour there are various legislations enacted to prohibit
exploitation of Child Labour.
 Indian Constitutional Law:
The makers of our Constitution had used their vision and wisdom by providing protection and
provisions for developments of children. The view was that if the children of the country are not
nurtured and educated India Cannot attains progress and development in the true sense.
a. Preamble of the Constitution clearly says that Justice social, economic and political and
Equality of Status and of Opportunity. It means no one can deprive children from all
opportunities to develop their socio, economic and political status.
b. Article 15(3): State shall make special provisions for women and child.
c. Article 24: Prohibit the employment of Children
d. Article 39(e) (f): State shall safeguard health of children and offered opportunities and
education of children.
e. Article 45: Free and compulsory education to children.
f. Article 21(A): Free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 to 14.
 The Minimum Wages Act, 1948:
It provides for fixation of minimum time rate of wages by state government. It also includes the
fixation of minimum piece rate of wages, guaranteed time rates for wages for different
occupations and localities or class of work and adult, adolescence, children and apprentices.
 The Factories Act, 1948:
The Factories Act expressly prohibited Child Labour under its significant provision. This is
nothing but a protection given to the child workers against exploitation.
 The Plantation labour Act, 1951:
The employment of children between the ages of 12 years is prohibited under the Act. However,
the act permits the employment of child above 12 years only on a fitness certificate from the
appointed surgeon.
 The Mines Act, 1952:
It states that no child shall be employed in any mines nor shall any child be allowed to be
present in any part of mine, which is below ground, or in any open cast working in which any
mining operations being carried on.
 The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958:
The act prohibits employment of children below the age of 14 in a ship except a training ship,
home ship or a ship where other family members work. It also prohibits employment of young
person below the age of 18 as trimmers and stokers except under certain specific conditions.
 The Children Act, 1960:
This is also important legislation which prohibits employment of children for begging and
exploitation of child employee.
 The Apprentices Act, 1961:
It states that no person shall be qualified for being engaged as an apprentice to undergo
apprenticeship training in any designated trade unless he is 14 years of age and satisfied such
standards of education and physical fitness as may be prescribed.
 The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986:
The main object of the said Act is to prohibit the engagement of children in certain employments
and regulation of condition of work of children in certain other employments.
 United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child:
The said declaration dealt with special provisions and facilities to develop physical, mental,
moral and social status. Also the right to Social Security and protection against exploitation has
given special importance.
Case study
Sivakasi is a small municipal town in Ramanathapuram district. In the immediate vicinity of the
town are two other municipal areas, Thiruthangal and Sattur. It is famous for three types of
industries – fireworks, match sticks and printing. 90% of India’s fireworks is produced here.
There are nearly 450 fireworks factories in Sivakasi employing almost 40,000 workers directly
and about 1 lakh indirectly such as paper tube making, wire cutting, box making in the country
side. Due to lack of modern machines child labour is extensively used. Economic factor is also
one of reasons responsible for child labour.
Poverty forces parents to send their children to work in these industries. Employers take
advantage of their economic condition and force them to work at low wages. According to
official Harban Singh’s report which was conducted in 1976, in spite of working 12 hours a day
younger children aged 4 – 10 earn an average of Rs. 2 per day. The older ones get maximum of
Rs. 6 -7 per day. According to a magazine published by The Hindu in April 29-May 12, 2000,
children earn around Rs. 20-30 per day. Talking about the working conditions, according to
sources children are taken to industries like animals in buses filling almost 150-200 children in a
bus. And they have to leave their house as early as 3a.m. in the morning and come back at 9p.m.
at night. There are agents to make sure that they get up and go for work. Some children stay at
home and work. Even they have to work for long hours. According to a magazine Sumathi age
11 of Ammapatti village rolls 2300 paper pipes a day for just Rs. 20 though she had been
working for a year in a fireworks unit. Also Chellaiyan age 12 working in a factory in anaikuttam
village earns Rs. 30 though working 12 hours a day. Expecting them to think about their health,
education and personal growth at this situation is impossible.
Education is nowhere in their life. They are unable to think beyond their food. It’s a fact that
children are the future of any nation or community. If this condition of children prevails what can
be expected for a country. According to International Labour Organization (ILO), if child labour
will be banned and all children get proper education, world’s total income would be raised by
nearly 22% over 20 years, which accounts for more than $4 trillion. Banning child labour will
help in boosting the economy of a country. But the situation here is worse. Most working
children in Sivakasi have not been to school. According to a sample survey conducted in 16
factories covering 4,181 children, 3,323 (79.48%) are illiterate; 474 children (11.34%) were
educated up to primary school level. Dropouts were 384 (9.2%).
In conclusion, it can be said that the problem of Child Labour exploitation is still burning issue in
India. The disease spreading day by day to tackle the problem we have to find proper and
effective mechanism. Government of India should form separate mechanism for effective
implementation of Education policy in India. The Education policy of Government in existence
is not satisfactory not capable to fulfill their economic needs. The negligent behavior of parents
indulges children in to work which is one of the risks to their socio-economic status. The various
organizations in the area of Child Labour, child right violation, child abuse is taking efforts to
protect and eradicate the same, and the Parents of the children make aware that temporary gain is
not helpful to their family. The efforts shall be taken from the Government with help of NGOs in
the area of small family norms, compulsory education, and so on. The picture is clear that the
problem of Child Labour can only eradicate if there is joint efforts of Governmental agencies and
NGOs actively working in the same area.