What's New :
Target PT - Prelims Classes 2025. Visit Here
14th August 2024 (10 Topics)

ILO’s initiative to end Child Labour

Context

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

Factors Responsible for Child Labour

Consequences Associated with Child Labour

  • Poverty, Migration and Emergencies
  • Social Norms: Acceptance of child labour in certain communities.
  • Lack of Decent Work Opportunities: For adults and adolescents.
  • Health Risks: Occupational diseases like skin diseases, lung diseases, weak eyesight, TB, etc.
  • Sexual Exploitation: Vulnerability at the workplace.
  • Education Deprivation: Lack of access to schooling.
  • Economic Threat: Threat to national economy and informal sector issues.
  • Cycle of Poverty: Child labour perpetuates poverty through reduced human capital accumulation.

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.
Policy Interventions Against Child Labour in India
  • Child Labour Act (Prohibition and Regulation) 1986: Prohibits children under 14 years from working in hazardous industries.
  • Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act 2016: Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in all work and adolescents (14-18 years) in hazardous occupations.
  • Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Rules 2017: Provides a framework for prevention, prohibition, rescue, and rehabilitation. Clarifies issues related to family work and definitions.
  • Additional Policies: MGNREGA 2005, Right to Education Act 2009, and Mid-Day Meal Scheme promote education and wage employment for rural families.
Constitutional Provisions for Child Upliftment
  • Article 21 A: Right to Education: Provides free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14 years.
  • Article 24: Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories and hazardous work.
  • Article 39: Ensures that children’s health and strength are not abused and that economic necessity does not force children into unsuitable work.

Verifying, please be patient.

Enquire Now