Child Labour in India

June 12 marks the World Day Against Child Labour, observed globally under the ILO to spotlight efforts toward ending child labour. Despite SDG Target 8.7 aiming to eradicate it by 2025, challenges persist. In this backdrop, the Velpur Model of Telangana stands out as a successful community-led initiative to eliminate child labour sustainably

Global and National Dimensions of Child Labour

• Global Burden of Child Labour
  • Data Insight: As per ILO estimates, 160 million children globally are trapped in child labour — approximately 1 in 10 children.
  • Regional Disparities: Africa, Asia, and the Pacific account for nearly 90% of child labourers
  • Post-Pandemic Setback: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated vulnerabilities; many children never returned to school after closures, contributing to long-term dropout and labour engagement.
• Child Labour in India
  • Census 2011 Figures: 53 lakh children (5–14 years) were found working in India, primarily due to poverty, lack of access to education, and illiteracy.
  • Sectoral Employment: Children are commonly employed in beedi making, carpet weaving, and fireworks.
  • Legislative Milestones: The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, later amended in 2016, prohibits employment of children under 14 and adolescents (14–18) in hazardous occupations.
• Legal and Policy Framework
  • Right to Education: Article 21A and the RTE Act mandate free and compulsory education for all children aged 6–14.
  • National Child Labour Project (NCLP): Focuses on withdrawing children from work and enrolling them in bridge schools.
  • Challenges: Despite stringent laws, enforcement is short-lived, and relapse into child labour is common post-rescue.

The Velpur Mandal Transformation

• From Prevalence to Prevention
  • Initial Condition: Velpur Mandal in Nizamabad (erstwhile Andhra Pradesh) had a high prevalence of child labour.
  • Community-Led Drive: A campaign in June 2001, targeting children aged 5–15, culminated in Velpur being declared “Child Labour Free” on October 2, 2001.
  • Sustained Outcome: Even 24 years later, the mandal reports 100% school retention and zero child labour.
• Resistance and Reversal
  • Social Resistance: Early resistance included rumours about child kidnappings and non-cooperation by locals and eateries.
  • Behavioural Shift: Public meetings and peer recognition campaigns helped win over parents, children, and former employers.
  • Debt Waiver Strategy: Employers wrote off ?35 lakh in family debts, breaking the chain of child labour through informal bondage.
• Institutional Commitments
  • MoU with Sarpanchs: First-of-its-kind agreements under AP Compulsory Primary Education Rules, 1982, were signed with the government.
  • Infrastructure Assurance: Government committed to providing teachers, school access, and facilities.
  • Public Messaging: Villages installed boards declaring, “There is no child labour in our village,” reinforcing the social norm.

Recognition and Replication

• Institutional Recognition
  • ILO Appreciation: The International Labour Organization and national media appreciated the Velpur Model.
  • Government Endorsements: The model was featured in VVGNLI training modules, and President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam sent a letter of commendation.
  • Parliamentary Presentation: The District Collector presented this success before the Parliamentary Standing Committee in November 2022.
• Community Ownership & Sustainability
  • Grassroots Transformation: The campaign turned into a people’s movement, ensuring local accountability and vigilance.
  • Cultural Institutionalisation: Celebrations during Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (2021) reaffirmed commitment; no dropouts were found during verification.
  • Peer Pressure Mechanism: Children identified their ex-employers at public meetings, creating a social accountability loop.
• National Replicability and Model Value
  • Scalable Insights: The Velpur model is a case study in community mobilisation, suitable for replication in high-risk areas.
  • Integrated Intervention: Combines legal enforcement, social awareness, financial relief, and government-community partnership.
  • Social Transformation: Proves that systemic change is sustainable only through community-led reform.

Practice Question

Q. Despite a robust legislative and policy framework, child labour continues to persist in India. Critically examine this statement in light of community-driven models like the Velpur Mandal initiative. How can such models be scaled up at the national level?