Can we eliminate child labour?
Though it
is a desirable goal the fact remains that in the given socio-economic
scenario that is prevalent in our country, it is virtually impossible to
do away with child labour. One cannot dispute the fact that employers
exploit children by paying them much less than what they would pay in
adult and the future of the working children is ruined as they will not
be able to attend schools and get educated for a better future.
But when one considers the economic
compulsions of the families which force the children to work, one will
be compelled to admit that elimination of child labour will be a distant
dream as long as the socio-economic status of these families is not
improved.
Realizing the harm caused by child
labour, the Indian Government made laws to protect children from
exploitation at work and to improve their working condition. Besides, a
comprehensive law called Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
1986, was promulgated to prohibit employment of children in certain
hazardous occupations and processes.
In 1987, the Indian government
formulated National Police on Child Labour to protect the interests of
children and focus on general development programmes for the benefit of
children. As a part of this policy National Child Labour Projects have
been set up in different parts of the country to rehabilitate child
labour. Under these projects, special schools are established to prove
non-formal education, vocational training, supplementary nutrition etc.
to children who are withdrawn from employment.
Though elimination of child labour is an
impossible task in the current socio-economic scenario, the Indian
government is committed to the task of ensuring that no child remains
illiterate, hungry and without medical care. When this ideal will be
achieved is a million dollar question.
The development countries are exerting
pressure on developing countries like India to eliminate child labour.
According to the current thinking the developed countries may stop
imports of those goods that involve child labour in their production. In
some of our cottage industries like making of carpets, children are
employed in larger numbers. These carpets, which are being exported, may
soon lose their market abroad if the producers of these carpets persist
with child labour.
Child labour is, no doubt, an evil that
should be done away with at the earliest. The prevalence of child labour
reflects very badly on society that is not able to stop this evil. But
in a society where many households may have to suffer the pangs of
hunger if the children are withdrawn from work, beggars can’t be
choosers. These families have to send their children to work, even if
the future of these innocents is ruined, as that is the only choice open
for them to survive in this world. Therefore, unless the socio-economic
status of the poor families is improved, India has to live with child
labour.
Read More....
http://www.savethechildren.in/
Read More....
http://www.savethechildren.in/
