CHILD LABOUR - A CURSE
Children are always considered close to God. They are considered as bringer of happiness, joy and hope, no matter where they go. The future of the nation depends on the children as they are undoubtedly the stepping stone in shaping the future of any nation. If a nation treats its children properly and provides them with the basic facilities then it would get reflected in the future performance of the nation. The moral duty of the nation is to ensure that the childhood of every child is protected.
- Causes of child labour
Poverty, illiteracy of parents, social and economic circumstances of the family are the main causes of child labour. Lack of awareness related to the harmful effects of child labour and lack of access to basic and quality education, cultural values of the family and the surroundings of the society in which one is living, also increase the rate of child labour. High rates of unemployment and under-employment also play a vital role in child labour.
Poverty, illiteracy of parents, social and economic circumstances of the family are the main causes of child labour. Lack of awareness related to the harmful effects of child labour and lack of access to basic and quality education, cultural values of the family and the surroundings of the society in which one is living, also increase the rate of child labour. High rates of unemployment and under-employment also play a vital role in child labour.
Children who discontinue school due to family indebtedness or are expelled from the school are more prone to child labour. Girls from socially disadvantaged groups are at a higher risk of being forced into child labour.
- Consequences of child labour
Children are prone to accidents and many other types of hazards at the workplace. Such injuries cause them social and economic harm, the effect of which continues for their entire lives. General injuries like cuts, burns, lacerations, fractures and dizziness are very common. Sexual abuse, STDs, HIV/AIDS, drugs, alcoholism, sexual exploitation of girls, rape, prostitution are also the consequences of child labour. They also face physical neglect in food, clothing, shelter and medical treatment. Because of this, they are not able to go to school which deprive them of basic education due to which they have to live in poverty. Emotional neglect is also the consequences of child labour. Children are prone to physical abuse including beating which often leads to a physical deformity.
Children are prone to accidents and many other types of hazards at the workplace. Such injuries cause them social and economic harm, the effect of which continues for their entire lives. General injuries like cuts, burns, lacerations, fractures and dizziness are very common. Sexual abuse, STDs, HIV/AIDS, drugs, alcoholism, sexual exploitation of girls, rape, prostitution are also the consequences of child labour. They also face physical neglect in food, clothing, shelter and medical treatment. Because of this, they are not able to go to school which deprive them of basic education due to which they have to live in poverty. Emotional neglect is also the consequences of child labour. Children are prone to physical abuse including beating which often leads to a physical deformity.
- Types of child labour in India
There is an increasing involvement of children in home-based work and in the informal sector. Children are involved in the domestic, manual, agricultural sector, in hazardous factories, rag-picking, beedi-rolling, matchbox, brick kilns etc.According to ILO, the worst types of child labour are;
- Slavery: Slavery is when one person works for another person. Slaves don’t have the power to demand anything. They have to work according to the commands of their master.
- Child Trafficking: Buying and selling of children either for labour or for sexual exploitation.
- Debt Bondage: When people cannot pay off their loans with their money and belongings they are often forced to work as a labour.
- Serfdom: When a person works on land that belongs to another person, it is known as serfdom. The labour will either be provided with some pay or no pay will be given.
- Forced Labour: When a child works against his/her will then it is termed as forced labour.
- Beggary: When poor parents don’t have any other way to earn a living they often beg on roads. They also cut their child’s body part in order to gain sympathy and to get more money. Small children are seen on red lights asking for money for their treatments.
There is an increasing involvement of children in home-based work and in the informal sector. Children are involved in the domestic, manual, agricultural sector, in hazardous factories, rag-picking, beedi-rolling, matchbox, brick kilns etc.
- Slavery: Slavery is when one person works for another person. Slaves don’t have the power to demand anything. They have to work according to the commands of their master.
- Child Trafficking: Buying and selling of children either for labour or for sexual exploitation.
- Debt Bondage: When people cannot pay off their loans with their money and belongings they are often forced to work as a labour.
- Serfdom: When a person works on land that belongs to another person, it is known as serfdom. The labour will either be provided with some pay or no pay will be given.
- Forced Labour: When a child works against his/her will then it is termed as forced labour.
- Beggary: When poor parents don’t have any other way to earn a living they often beg on roads. They also cut their child’s body part in order to gain sympathy and to get more money. Small children are seen on red lights asking for money for their treatments.
- Five ways we can help to eliminate child labour
1. Stakeholders must take responsibility
2. Increased access to education
3. Provide support for children
4. Improve economic growth
5. Engage with the Sustainable Development Goals
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