Child Labour in India

According Official Estimates, nearly 10-17 million children are engaged in some or other forms of labour in India and living outside their childhood. 

Child labour is a violation of fundamental human rights and has been shown to hinder children’s development, potentially leading to lifelong physical or psychological damage. Evidence points to a strong link between household poverty and child labour, and child labour perpetuates poverty across generations by keeping the children of the poor out of school and limiting their prospects for upward social mobility. This lowering of human capital has been linked to slow economic growth and social development. An ILO study has shown that eliminating child labour in transition and developing economies could generate economic benefits nearly seven times greater than the costs, mostly associated with investment in better schooling and social services.

Legal Protections:-

Child Labour( Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016

Constitutional Protection:-

Article 21— No person shall be deprived of his life and liberty except procedure established law. 

Article 21A — Right to education of children in age of 6-14 age

Article 24 — Prohibition of employment of children in factories, mines and hazardous activities. 

Supreme Court Judgement:-

M.C.Mehta Vs State of T.N:

People’s Union for democratic Rights Vs Union of India:

In both cases, S.C prohibited the Child Labour

International Laws:-

SDG 8 — Eradication of child Labour

UNICEF — UN Children’s Fund

ILO:- Minimum Age Convention, 1973; Worst form of child labour convention, 1999