New Study Differs from NCRB on the Issue of Child Labour in India

Syllabus: GS1-Society/GS2-Governance

Context

• A study on child labour by by Enfold and CivicDataLab, based on judicial data from the e-Courts platform differs from NCRB and revealed more child labour cases in six states.

Key Findings

• Discrepancy in Data: Judicial data reveals 8 times more child labour cases than reported by NCRB.
  • NCRB reports 1,329 cases (2015-2022) under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.
  • e-Courts data shows 9,193 trials in the same period, a significant increase.
  • 10,800 child labour cases were analyzed across six states: Maharashtra, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Issues with NCRB Data: NCRB follows the “Principal Offence Rule”, counting only the most serious crime in cases with multiple offences.
  • Minor crimes, like child labour, may not be reflected if they are part of a larger criminal case.
• Importance of Data: Data is key for understanding crime trends and addressing issues like child labour.
  • Helps researchers and academics create better solutions and policies.

Issue of Child Labour in India

• Child Labour continues to be a significant issue in India, despite government efforts.
• Root causes: Poverty and illiteracy, requiring societal involvement for effective solutions.
• Statistics on Child Labour
  • Census 2001: 1.26 crore working children (age 5-14) out of 25.2 crore total child population.
  • Census 2011: India had approximately 10.1 million child labourers aged 5-14 years, representing 3.9% of the total child population in this age group. ​
• Gurupadswamy Committee: It was formed in 1979, to study child labour and propose measures.
  • Found that poverty was a key barrier to eliminating child labour.
  • Recommended banning child labour in hazardous sectors and regulating other areas.
  • Advocated for a multiple policy approach.

Impact of Child Labour on Society

• Hindered Economic Growth: Child labour leads to a loss of productivity in the long term as children miss out on education and skill development.
• Perpetuation of Poverty: Children working instead of studying contribute to the continuation of the poverty cycle, as they are less likely to secure well-paying jobs as adults.
• Lack of Skilled Workforce: Children involved in labour miss out on education, leading to a lack of skilled workers in the future economy.
• Social Inequality: Child labour exacerbates social inequality, as marginalized and economically disadvantaged children are more likely to be exploited.
• Weakens Social Progress: Widespread child labour limits the progress of society, as it hinders efforts to improve education, health, and overall quality of life.

Challenges in Preventing Child Labour in India:

• Poverty: Families often rely on children’s income for survival, making it difficult to eliminate child labour.
• Lack of Access to Education: Poor infrastructure and limited schools, especially in rural areas, prevent children from receiving education.
• Cultural Acceptance: In some regions, child labour is normalized and seen as part of family tradition or livelihood.
• Limited Awareness: Lack of awareness among families, employers, and communities about the harmful effects of child labour.
• Economic Exploitation: Demand for cheap labour in industries like textiles, agriculture, and construction continues to exploit children.
• Migration: Migrant families in urban areas often push children into work due to instability and lack of access to education.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Fundamental Rights: 
  • Article 21A: The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 to 14 years.
  • Article 24: Prohibits child labour below 14 years in hazardous employment.
• Directive Principles of State Policy:
  • Article 39(e): Protects children from exploitation and abuse.
  • Article 39(f): Ensures children’s development in conditions of dignity and freedom.

Legislative Actions

• Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986: Prohibited child labour in hazardous occupations and regulated work in other sectors.
  • Amendment (2016): Prohibited child employment below 14 years in all occupations.
    • Extended prohibition to adolescents (14-18 years) in hazardous jobs.
• National Policy on Child Labour (1987): Focused on a gradual and sequential approach.
  • Prioritized the rehabilitation of children and adolescents.
• National Child Labour Project (NCLP): Provides education, vocational training, and rehabilitation for children rescued from labour in high-concentration areas.
• Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009: Ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14, aiming to keep them out of the workforce.
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Encourages school attendance by providing free meals, reducing the incentive for children to work.
• Labour Inspections and Raids: State governments conduct regular inspections and raids to identify and prevent child labour in industries.
• Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS): Provides support and rehabilitation for children at risk of exploitation and abuse, including child labour.

Source: IE