Ending Child Labour: A Worldwide Mission for Sustainable Development

 

Ending Child Labour: A Worldwide Mission for Sustainable Development

Bruhaspati Samal

General Secretary

Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers

Odisha State Coordination Committee, Bhubaneswar

eMail: samalbruhaspati@gmail.com, Mobile:9437022669

Child labour persists as a grave violation of children's rights and a significant impediment to social and economic development worldwide. Defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as work that deprives children of their childhood, right to education, health, a nurturing environment potential and dignity which inflict severe physical, emotional, and psychological harm on them, it is a multifaceted issue deeply entrenched in poverty, lack of education, and societal inequalities. Forced into hazardous work conditions, these children endure injuries, illnesses, and stunted growth, compromising their future prospects. Moreover, the psychological toll of exploitation can lead to trauma, low self-esteem, and perpetuation of the cycle of poverty.  The worst forms of child labour involve children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards and illnesses and / or left to fend for themselves on the streets of large cities – often at a very early age. 

Understanding the root causes of child labour is crucial for developing effective interventions. Poverty stands as the primary driver, forcing families to rely on children for additional income. Additionally, lack of access to quality education perpetuates the cycle, as illiterate parents often prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term benefits of education. Social and cultural factors also play a role, as traditional norms and practices may condone child labour or prioritize boys' education over girls'. Discrimination, particularly against marginalized groups, further exacerbates vulnerability to exploitation.

International bodies, governments, and NGOs have made strides in combating child labour through policy reforms, advocacy, and direct interventions. ILO’s fundamental conventions on child labour, namely: the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) entail concrete legal obligations for action by ratifying ILO member States and are both nearing universal ratification. This apart, Article 23(1) of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that everyone has the right to work, but specifically exempts children from exploitative or hazardous work that interferes with their education or harms their health and development. Similarly, Article 32 of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) emphasizes the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. Besides, many countries have enacted laws that regulate child labour, setting minimum age requirements for employment, limiting working hours for children, and prohibiting hazardous work. These laws often include provisions for compulsory education up to a certain age to ensure that children have access to schooling and are not forced into the workforce prematurely. Illustratively, India has enacted several laws to address child labour, including the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, which prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 in hazardous occupations and regulates their working conditions in non-hazardous industries. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14, aiming to prevent child labour by ensuring access to education.

Despite significant efforts in recent years, child labour remains a pervasive issue affecting millions of children globally. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated 152 million children are engaged in child labour, with nearly half of them engaged in hazardous work that jeopardizes their health, safety, and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, pushing vulnerable families deeper into poverty and forcing children into exploitative labour to support household incomes. According to the most recent estimates released in 2021, 160 million boys and girls between 5 and 17 years are in child labour. They are often deprived of education and of the potential for a bright future with decent work. 79 million are in hazardous work that directly endangers their safety, health and moral development.  According to the Census of India 2011, there were approximately 10.1 million child labourers aged 5-14 years in the country. The National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) conducted a survey in 2009-2010, estimating the number of child labourers in India to be around 4.35 million. Child labour affects children of various age groups, but it is more prevalent among older children. Many children start working at a young age and continue throughout their adolescence. The majority of child labourers are in the age group of 10-14 years, although children as young as 5 years old are also engaged in work. Child labour affects both boys and girls, but there are gender disparities in the types of work and sectors in which they are engaged. Girls are often involved in domestic work, agriculture, and informal sectors, while boys are more likely to work in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and transportation.

In spite of progress, significant challenges hinder the eradication of child labour. Enforcement of laws remains weak in many regions due to corruption, inadequate resources, and lack of political will. Moreover, globalization has created complex supply chains where child labour often hides, making oversight difficult. Cultural norms and traditions also perpetuate the acceptance of child labour in some societies, posing additional barriers to eradication efforts. Governments must enforce existing laws and enact stronger legislation to protect children from exploitation. This includes stricter penalties for violators and mechanisms for monitoring and reporting incidents of child labour. Investing in education is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty and reducing the demand for child labour. Awareness campaigns targeting parents, communities, and employers can change attitudes towards child labour and promote alternative solutions. Poverty alleviation programs, vocational training, and access to microfinance can provide families with sustainable alternatives to child labour. Economic empowerment enables parents to afford education and meet their basic needs without relying on their children's labour. Companies must uphold ethical labour standards throughout their supply chains and conduct regular audits to identify and address instances of child labour. Consumers can also advocate for ethical sourcing practices by supporting companies that prioritize child rights. Mobilizing communities to take ownership of the issue fosters sustainable solutions tailored to local contexts. Empowering grassroots organizations, involving religious and community leaders, and providing support services for at-risk families are essential components of community-based approaches. There is no contradiction between the elimination of child labour including hazardous work by children above the general minimum age for work on the one hand and the promotion of youth employment on the other. This overlapping age group who are still “children” below 18 years of age are also in the younger age range of “youth” whose employment should be promoted. The ultimate goal for these adolescents must not just be getting them out of hazardous work, but also ensuring their transition into decent youth employment with appropriate protection of their occupational safety and health.  

While the world comes together to observe the World Day Against Child Labour on June 12th every year, the theme for World Day Against Child Labour 2024 revolves around the urgent need to "Protect Children from Exploitative Labour in Agriculture." Agriculture remains one of the sectors with the highest prevalence of child labour, accounting for a significant proportion of child labourers worldwide. This year's theme underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of child labour in agriculture, including poverty, lack of access to education, and inadequate social protection systems and will focus on celebrating the 25th  anniversary of the adoption of ILO Convention No. 182 calling all remaining member States that have not done so to ratify Convention No. 138. The World Day will also be an opportunity for reminding all stakeholders to improve their implementation of  the above two fundamental  ILO Conventions on child labour.

To mark this occasion, governments, civil society organizations, employers, and workers' associations are encouraged to organize various initiatives and activities aimed at raising awareness, advocating for policy reforms, and mobilizing resources to combat child labour. These initiatives may include awareness campaigns, policy dialogues, capacity-building workshops, and community outreach programs targeting vulnerable populations in rural areas where child labour in agriculture is prevalent. By addressing the root causes of child labour, investing in education and social protection, and enforcing laws and policies to safeguard children's rights, we can create a world where every child is free to enjoy their childhood, pursue their dreams, and realize their full potential. Let’s seize this opportunity to renew our commitment to the eradication of child labour and build a future where no child is forced to sacrifice their childhood for economic survival.

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