This case study can be used to reflect the extended responsibilities of HR departments in the case of child labor. Especially in a country like India, where nearly 4.5 million children (according to 2011 census) are reportedly employed, what would this mean for the demographic dividend? Also with Kailash Satyarthi winning the Nobel Peace Prize (for 2014) for his campaigns against child labor, the simmering problem seems to have assumed a global dimension. Can Indian companies and their HR departments play a proactive role to abate the prevalence and occurrence of child labor through their intent and involvement? Two young HR recruits (Mitali Roy and Manika Arora) grapple with their ethical dilemmas.

1. CHILD LABOR IN INDIA AND INDIAN
COMPANIES: IS THERE A CASE FOR EXTENDED
RESPONSIBILITY?
This case study can be used to reflect the extended responsibilities of HR departments in the
case of child labor. Especially in a country like India, where nearly 4.5 million children (according
to 2011 census) are reportedly employed, what would this mean for the demographic dividend?
Also with Kailash Satyarthi winning the Nobel Peace Prize (for 2014) for his campaigns against
child labor, the simmering problem seems to have assumed a global dimension. Can Indian
companies and their HR departments play a proactive role to abate the prevalence and occurrence
of child labor through their intent and involvement? Two young HR recruits (Mitali Roy and
Manika Arora) grapple with their ethical dilemmas.
Pedagogical Objectives
• To discuss and debate on the extended responsibilities of HR departments in the case of
child labor
• To examine the ethical connotations for specific child labor related organizational instances
• To understand the extent of instances and intensity of the prevalence of child labor in India
and discuss on the measures taken thus far and further measures to be taken
Positioning/Case Setting
This case study can be used for either of the following modules/topics in the Human Resource
Management Course:
• Labor Laws in India – To understand the Labor Laws (Factories Act, 1948, etc.) in India
and how companies exploit workers by non-compliance of laws
• Child Labor and Constitutional Provisions in India –To understand the provisions of the
law related to child labor (prohibiting child labor and provision of programs for their
education and development)
• Ethics and Role of HR Departments in Companies –To understand the need for companies
to behave ethically and prohibit using child labor anywhere in their supply chain and the
extended role of HR departments in achieving the same
ABSTRACT
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