Child labor is defined as work that harms children physically, mentally, or blocks their access to education, affecting millions globally, particularly in Asia and Africa. Despite constitutional protections and various laws in India aimed at prohibiting child labor and promoting education, issues persist with significant historical and cultural factors contributing to the problem. Efforts to combat child labor include the work of NGOs like Pratham and public awareness campaigns, emphasizing the need for individual responsibility and government support to reduce child labor prevalence.

1. By:
Hari
Navaneeth
Sangeeth
Subin

3. • “Child labour” is
generally speaking, work
for children that harms
them or exploits them in
someway (physically,
mentally, m orally or by
blocking access to
education). It is the work
that exceeds a minimum
number of hours
depending on the age of a
child and on the

5. • In European history when child labour was common,
as well as in contemporary child labour of modern
world, certain cultural beliefs have In many
cultures, particular where informal economy and
small household businesses thrive, the cultural
tradition is that children follow in their parents'
footsteps; child labour then is a means to learn and
practice that trade from a very early age

7. • 61% in Asia, 32% in Africa, and 7% in Latin
America, 1% in US, Canada, Europe and other
wealthy nations. In Asia, 22% of the
workforce is children. In Latin America, 17%
of the workforce is children.246 million child
workers aged 5 and 17 were involved in child
labour. Out of which 171 million were
involved in work that by its nature is
hazardous

8. • The presence of a large number of child laborers
is regarded as a serious issue in terms of
economic welfare. Children who work fail to get
necessary education. They do not get the
opportunity to develop physically, intellectually,
emotionally and psychologically. In terms of the
physical condition of children, children are not
ready for long monotous work because they
become exhausted more quickly than adults.
This reduces their physical conditions and makes
the children more vulnerable to disease

9. • The 1998 national census of India estimated the
total number of child labour, aged 5–14, to be at
12.6 million, out of a total child population of
253 million in 5-14 age group . A 2009-2010
nationwide survey found child labour
prevalence had reduced to 4.98 million children
(or less than 2% of children in 5-14 age
group). The 2011 national census of India found
the total number of child labour, aged 5–14, to
be at 4.35 million, and the total child population
to be 259.64 million in that age group. The child
labour problem is not unique to India;
worldwide, about 217 million children work,
many full-time

10. • After its independence from colonial rule, India
has passed a number of constitutional
protections and laws on child labour. The
Constitution of India in the Fundamental Rights
and the Directive of State Policy prohibits child
labour below the age of 14 years in any factory
or mine or castle or engaged in any other
hazardous employment . The constitution also
envisioned that India shall, by 1960, provide
infrastructure and resources for free and
compulsory education to all children of the age
six to 14 years.

11. Pratham is India's largest non-governmental
organization with the mission 'every child in school and
learning well.' Founded in 1994, Pratham has aimed to
reduce child labour and offer schooling to children
irrespective of their gender, religion and social
background. It has grown by introducing low cost
education models that are sustainable and reproducible.
Child labour has also been a subject of public interest
litigations in Indian courts.

12. • The Factories Act of 1948:
• The Act prohibits the employment of children
below the age of 14 years in any factory. The
law also placed rules on who, when and how
long can pre-adults aged 15–18 years be
employed in any factory

13. • The Mines Act of 1952:
• The Act prohibits the employment of children
below 18 years of age in a mine
• .

14. • The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation)
Act of 1986:
• The Act prohibits the employment of children
below the age of 14 years in hazardous
occupations identified in a list by the law. The
list was expanded in 2006, and again in 2008

15. • The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) of
Children Act of 2000:
• This law made it a crime, punishable with a
prison term, for anyone to procure or employ
a child in any hazardous employment or in
bondage

16. • The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory
Education Act of 2009:
• The law mandates free and compulsory
education to all children aged 6 to 14 years.
This legislation also mandated that 25
percent of seats in every private school must
be allocated for children from disadvantaged
groups and physically challenged children.

17. WHAT CAN WE DO AS A PERSON
TO STOP CHILD LABOUR
• To donate funds in NGOs working for the
rehabilitation of street children.
• To contact NGOs and make them aware about
child labor happening in our society.
• To make the rural people aware about the
benefits of education.
• To provide free education for the orphans.
• To start campaign against child labour.
• To help the government to stop child labour.

18. • The social malady of child labour can be brought
under control, if each individual takes
responsibility of reporting about anyone
employing a child below the age of 14years.
• Thus, instead of ignoring on should find out
about reporting child labor and how such
children can actually be saved.
• Child labor can be controlled if the government
functions effectively with the support of the
public.