ILO’s initiative to end Child Labour

Cotton and hybrid cotton seeds from India are listed by the U.S. Labor Department as products made using child or forced labor. To address this issue, the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have launched a new project to end child labour.

About the new initiative

• The joint project, Promoting Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW), aims to improve labor conditions among cotton farmers by promoting fundamental labor rights.
• Focus Areas: The project will focus on freedom of association, collective bargaining, elimination of child and forced labor, abolition of discrimination, and ensuring a safe working environment.
• Scope: The initiative will impact around 6.5 million cotton farmers across 11 states in India.
• By upholding FPRW, cotton-growing communities can foster a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous environment for all workers, leading to long-term benefits for individuals and families.
• The project also aims to promote social finance and financial inclusion/bank linkage for the farmers and agriculture workers and enhance their access to digital literacy programs of the government.

What is Child Labour?

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines child labour as work that deprives children of their childhood, potential, and dignity, and is harmful to their physical and mental development.
• Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 aims to end child labour by 2025.
• Where are these Child Labourers Deployed?

• Bonded Labour: Including child soldiers and trafficking.
• Industrial Labour: Brick kilns, carpet weaving, garment making, domestic service, food and refreshment services, agriculture, fisheries, and mining.
• Sexual Exploitation, Production of Child Pornography

How Child Labour Becomes a ‘Roadblock’ to India’s Human Capital Accumulation

• Deprivation of Rights: Robs children of their potential and dignity.
• Opportunity Costs: Impacts human capital development and the ability to develop resources.
• Vicious Cycle: Short-term income benefits lead to long-term poverty due to reduced human capital.
• Health Issues: Physical and psychological impacts from unsafe working conditions.
• Lack of Education and Skills: Results in poor-paying jobs and perpetuates poverty.
• Micro Level Impact: Poor health and education lead to low-paying jobs and a cycle of child labour in future generations.
• Macro Level Impact: Skills gap increases youth unemployment, affecting long-term economic growth.