By: Rameez Rasool Mir
World Day Against Child Labour 2024 will be observed globally today (on June 12, 2024). The International Labour Organization (ILO), along with its partners and stakeholders, will come together to mark this occasion, working collectively towards the shared goal of eradicating child labour by 2025. The theme for World Day Against Child Labour 2024 is- Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labour. This day will not only celebrate the adoption of ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999) but also serve as a persistent reminder to member nations, stakeholders, and partners of the critical importance of adhering to the convention to protect children.
Child Labour:
Child labour is defined by the International Labour Organisation as “work that is harmful to physical and mental development and that deprives children of their childhood, potential, and dignity.”
Children do not always work as slaves. Child labour does not include activities that foster a child’s positive development and give them the knowledge and experience they need to grow up to be contributing members of society.
Child labour, according to the ILO, is defined as work that:
Interferes with children’s education by denying them the chance to attend, forcing them to leave early, or forcing them to try to balance school attendance with unduly demanding and lengthy work is dangerous and harmful to children on a mental, physical, social, or moral level.
Key Causes of Child Labour in India:
Child work is still a major issue in India, primarily due to the following:
Poverty: A lot of families depend on their kids’ income to cover their basic expenses, which forces them to work rather than attend school.
Economic Pressures: Families are forced to rely on child labour as a source of additional money due to debt, underemployment, and unemployment.
Lack of Quality Education: Children who do not have access to a high-quality education are more likely to begin working at an early age, losing out on educational chances.
Lack of Awareness: A lot of families are unaware of the detrimental impact’s child labour has on the emotional and physical well-being of their kids.
Conflicts and Migration: Displacement due to conflicts and migration forces children into labour as their families struggle to survive.
Gender Disparities: Girls are often required to do unpaid domestic work, preventing them from getting an education.
Stopping child labour in India requires collective efforts from various stakeholders. Here’s how individuals can contribute:
Raise Awareness: Educate parents in vulnerable communities about child rights and the significance of education.
Understand Laws: Be familiar with laws and regulations concerning child labour to ensure adherence and report any infringements.
Engage with Parents: Initiate dialogues with parents of child labourers to comprehend their challenges and propose solutions, emphasizing the importance of education.
Boycott Employers: Refrain from supporting businesses that employ child labour. Encourage others to do the same, exerting economic pressure to end this practice.
Support NGOs: Collaborate with NGOs dedicated to eradicating child labour by volunteering, donating resources, or participating in advocacy efforts.
Promote Education: Advocate for the enrolment of children in schools by raising awareness about available educational opportunities and government initiatives.
Through these actions, individuals can collectively work towards the goal of eliminating child labour in India.
Unveiling My Truth:
As a student of Social Work, I have been engaged in such topics for many years. I have listened to many stories of boys and girls who have been employed by rich people. These children have brutally faced harassment, such as physical, and emotional abuse. They have problems associated with their future and are hardly accepted by people in their social lives.
These children face a multitude of problems. They are supposed to be playing and learning, not working long hours. Sometimes, they are treated badly or even harmed by the people who employ them. It’s sad because these kids are the future of our country.
It’s not just about being poor. Even rich and powerful people are part of this problem. They don’t think about the harm they’re causing by using children for work instead of letting them learn and grow.
We need to do something about this. We need to establish strong rules against child labour and ensure they are followed. We also need to educate people about how detrimental child labour is and why it’s important to stop it. Most importantly, we need to give these children a chance to go to school and have a better future.
In short, child labour remains a pressing issue, particularly in places like India, driven by poverty, lack of education, and weak laws. Children are often subjected to abuse and denied their rights to play and learn. To address this, we must enforce laws, educate communities, and collaborate across sectors. Every child deserves a chance to grow and learn without exploitation. Let’s act now to end child labour and secure a better future for all.
The writer is a columnist, poet, and professional social worker.
