CHILD LABOUR                       

Child - The mere sound of this word can help us make an image of a playful little individual who can effortlessly seek happiness by mingling with his/her family members. A child is someone whose mental and physical development is largely dependent on the social and familiar environment they live in. Childhood is a important part wherein academic manner, good physical activity and social interaction in a secure environment can contribute to the kid’s physical and mental well -being. A happy childhood can ensure a bright future.

The word CHILD LABOUR is a stark contradiction of all things that make for an ideal childhood.

 

#WHAT IS CHILD LABOUR??

It’s 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.

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UNICEF defines child labour differently. According to the UNICEF, a child  is involved in child labour activities if between 5 and 11 years of age, he or she did at least one hour of economic activity or at least 28 hours of domestic work in a week, and in case of children between 12 and 14 years of age, he or she did at least 14 hours of economic activity or at least 42 hours of economic activity and domestic work per week.

• REPORTS ON CHILD LABOUR IN INDIA –

India’s 2011 census showed that there were more than 10.2 million “economically active” children in the age group of five to 14 years – 5.6 million boys and 4.5 million girls, 8 million children were working in rural areas, and 2 million in urban areas. Although in rural settings the number of child workers reduced from 11 million to 8 million between the 2001 and 2011 censuses, over the same period, the number of children working in urban settings rose from 1.3 million to 2 million. 1 in every 11 children in India works to earn a living, according to statistics by Action Aid India. Census showed that there were more than 10.2 million “economically active” children in the age group of five to 14 years – 5.6 million boys and 4.5 million girls, 8 million children were working in rural areas, and 2 million in urban areas. Although in rural settings the number of child workers reduced from 11 million to 8 million between the 2001 and 2011 censuses, over the same period, the number of children working in urban settings rose from 1.3 India.

 

 

Year	Percentage of working children (5-14)			Total number of working children (5-14) (in millions)
	RURAL	URBAN	TOTAL	RURAL	URBAN	TOTAL
2001	5.9	2.1	5.0	11.4	1.3	12.7
2011	4.3	2.9	3.9	8.1	2.0	10.1

*Source – 2001 and 2011 Cencus

 Child Labour  work includes part-time help or unpaid work on the farm, family enterprise or in any other economic activity such as cultivation and milk production for sale or domestic consumption. Indian government classifies child labourers into two groups: Main workers are those who work 6 months or more per year. And marginal child workers are those who work at any time during the year but less than 6 months in a year.

 

UNICEF, however, points out that India faces major shortages of schools, classrooms and teachers particularly in rural areas where 90 percent of child labour problem is observed. About 1 in 5 primary schools have just one teacher to teach students across all grades.

 

There are many rules and regulations on child labour like such in India .After its independence from colonial rule, India has passed a number of constitutional protections and laws on child labour. The Constitution of India in the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy prohibits child labour below the age of 14 years in any factory or mine or castle or engaged in any other hazardous employment (Article 24). The constitution also envisioned that India shall, by 1960, provide infrastructure and resources for free and compulsory education to all children of the age six to 14 years. (Article 21-A and Article 45).

 

Also UNICEF launched the campaign "#TheUnescapeRoom" in order to support the eradication of child labour, you can click here http://bit.ly/2HFMnjd and support or you can simply use the hashtag #TheUnescapeRoom in your social networks and be part of these group of people who wants to leave a positive impact in the world.

"Start changing the world before the time come to regret”.