Abolish child labour

The 2014 Global Slavery Index shows that 20% of children were enslaved across the world. We might think that slavery is a bygone era. But the modern day slavery takes many forms – debt bondage, forced marriage, sale and exploitation of children, human trafficking and forced labour. Mauritania has the largest population enslaved followed by Uzbekistan. Also, countries in the Middle East lured many Asians and Africans with promises of well-paid jobs only to find themselves working as domestic or construction workers.

Child labour is universal, not only restricted to India. As per the 2011 National Census of India, 4.35 million children, aged 5 to 14 years were working. There are various Indian legislations that make child labour a crime: The Factories Act of 1948, the Mines Act of 1952, the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) of Children Act of 2000.

How many of you’ll employ young children to do dirty household work? Those who like to lead easy and laidback lives employ young children and pay them pittance for their services. Young children from neighbouring states reside as live-in-maids or work as part-time maids to do ‘n’ jobs from washing dishes to sweeping floors. Children who deserve to be educated; children who need to be fed and clothed; children who need love and care at that young age are made to slog.

Young teenage girls are employed to take care of new-born babies by many young parents. This is a growing phenomena and a popular trend. Many argue that these girls have been placed in their homes for their care and for earning their livelihood. At times, these girls are forced to work under poor conditions with petty wages. Some face physical and verbal abuse at the hands of their employers. Others have to work without being paid. This is modern day slavery and height of exploitation!

Many children are employed in hazardous occupations such as carpet weaving, glass blowing, stone quarrying, beedi rolling, lead mining, lock making, gem polishing, match works, etc. There are others who work at restaurants and lie about their age to avoid getting into trouble. But their innocent eyes, ready smiles and small stature are giveaways!

Poverty is the major reason that drives these children to work. Many times, the income from such labour is needed for their own survival and/or running of the household. Lack of schooling aggravates the scenario. At times, the schools are located far away which makes the parents wonder whether education is worthwhile. 

These children miss out on important schooling that would cater to their all-round personality development. An opportunity to develop physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically is thwarted.