3. Meaning of child labour
the employment of children in
an industry or business,
especially when illegal or
considered exploitative.
4.
5. History of child labour
Child labour in preindustrial societies
Child labour forms an intrinsic part of pre-industrial economies.[18][19] In pre-
industrial societies, there is rarely a concept of childhood in the modern sense.
Children often begin to actively participate in activities such as child rearing,
hunting and farming as soon as they are competent. In many societies, children as
young as 13 are seen as adults and engage in the same activities as adults.[19]
The work of children was important in pre-industrial societies, as children needed
to provide their labour for their survival and that of their group. Pre-industrial
societies were characterized by low productivity and short life expectancy,
preventing children from participating in productive work would be more harmful
to their welfare and that of their group in the long run. In pre-industrial societies,
there was little need for children to attend school. This is especially the case in non
literate societies. Most pre-industrial skill and knowledge were amenable to being
passed down through direct mentoring or apprenticing by competent adults.[19]
6. Working girl in India
An eight-year-old boy making his
livelihood by showing a playful
monkey in a running train
in India in 2011.
7. Causes of child labour
Poverty and unemployment levels are high. ...
Access to compulsory, free education is limited. ...
Existing laws or codes of conduct are often violated. ...
Laws and enforcement are often inadequate. ...
National Laws Often Include Exemptions. ...
Workers' rights are repressed. ...
The global economy intensifies the effects of some
factors.
8.
9. Child labour in India
A variety of Indian social scientists as well as the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have done extensive research on
the numeric figures of child labour found in India and determined that India contributes to one-third of Asia’s child labour
and one-fourth of the world's child labour.[98] Due to a large number of children being illegally employed, the Indian
government began to take extensive actions to reduce the number of children working, and to focus on the importance of
facilitating the proper growth and development of children.[98] International influences help to encourage legal actions to be
taken in India, such as the Geneva Declaration of the Right of Children Act was passed in 1924. This act was followed by The
Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 to which incorporated the basic human rights and needs of children for
proper progression and growth in their younger years.[99] These international acts encouraged major changes to the
workforce in India which occurred in 1986 when the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act was put into place. This
act prohibited hiring children younger than the age of 14, and from working in hazardous conditions.[98]
Due to the increase of regulations and legal restrictions on child labour, there has been a 64 percent decline in child labour
from 1993-2005.[100] Although this is a great decrease in the country of India, there is still high numbers of children working
in the rural areas of India. With 85 percent of the child labour occurring in rural areas, and 15 percent occurring in urban
areas, there are still substantial areas of concern in the country of India.[100]
India has legislation since 1986 which allows work by children in non-hazardous industry. In 2013, the Punjab and Haryana
High Court gave a landmark order that directed that there shall be a total ban on the employment of children up to the age
of 14 years, be it hazardous or non-hazardous industries. However, the Court ruled that a child can work with his or her
family in family based trades/occupations, for the purpose of learning a new trade/craftsmanship or vocation.[142]
Ireland
