CHILD

LABOUR
GROUP 2

Members: -
1. Nysa Sharma
[Link] Kaur Malik
[Link] Sharma
[Link] Gulati
[Link] Dasgupta
[Link] Priya
[Link] Bal
 Introduction
-Yashika Gulati

Child labor refers to the employment of children in work that deprives them of their childhood,
education, and potential, and is harmful to their physical and mental development. It is a complex issue
rooted in economic, social, and cultural factors.

Historically, child labor has been prevalent in various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing,
mining, and domestic work. In many developing countries, economic necessity drives families to rely on
their children's income, often leading to exploitative conditions.

Key Aspects of Child Labor:

1. Definition and Scope:

o The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines child labor as work that
children should not be doing because they are too young or because the work is
too dangerous or otherwise unsuitable for them.
o Not all work done by children is considered child labor. Some activities, such as
helping in a family business or doing household chores, can be beneficial for
their development.

2. Causes of Child Labor:

o Poverty: Families in poverty often rely on their children to contribute to the
household income.
o Lack of Access to Education: In areas where education is inaccessible, children
are forced into work.
o Cultural Practices: In some regions, child labor is ingrained in cultural and social
norms.
o Economic Factors: Industries, especially in developing countries, exploit cheap
child labor to cut costs.

3. Forms of Child Labor:

o Agriculture: Most child laborers are involved in agriculture, working long hours
in fields or plantations.
o Manufacturing: Children are employed in industries such as garment
production, mining, and construction.
o Domestic Work: Many children work as domestic servants, often in difficult and
isolated conditions.
o Illegal Activities: Some children are trafficked for prostitution, drug trafficking,
or armed conflict.
4. Impact on Children:
o Child labor affects children's health, development, and ability to gain education.
o They face risks such as injuries, malnutrition, mental trauma, and exposure to
abuse.
o It perpetuates a cycle of poverty and limits the child's future opportunities.

5. Global Efforts to Combat Child Labor:

o International Conventions: The ILO's Minimum Age Convention (C138) and the
Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention (C182) are two key international laws
that address child labor.
o Government Initiatives: Many countries have enacted laws to restrict child labor
and promote education.
o Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Organizations like UNICEF and Save
the Children work to combat child labor through advocacy, education, and
rehabilitation programs.
 Interview
-Nysa Sharma

During the interview, I met a young boy, aged around 7-8 years, who was selling balloons on a busy
roadside. He spoke about his daily life, where he spends long hours in the scorching sun, trying to sell
enough balloons to make a small income for his family.

Despite the harsh reality of his life, the boy expressed a deep desire to attend school and pursue
education. He explained how he watches other children go to school in their uniforms and dreams of
sitting in a classroom, learning to read and write. Unfortunately, his circumstances do not allow him to
attend school, as his family's financial struggles force him to prioritize earning money over education.

He hopes that one day, he might get a chance to study and improve his future. Until then, he continues
to sell balloons, believing that education could be his key to breaking the cycle of poverty. The interview
highlights the difficult choice many children in India face between education and survival, reflecting the
ongoing issue of child labor in the country.
 Research on Bihar
-Srishti Sharma

INTRODUCTION
Not all work done by children should be classified as child labour that is to be targeted for elimination.
The participation of children or adolescents above the minimum age for admission to employment in
work that does not affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling is
generally regarded as being something positive. This includes activities such as assisting in a family
business or earning pocket money outside school hours and during school holidays. These kinds of
activities contribute to children’s development and the welfare of their families; they provide them with
skills and experience, and help to prepare them to be productive members of society during their adult
life.

The term “child labour” is often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential
and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. It refers to work that:

 is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children; and/or

 interferes with their schooling by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school; obliging
them to leave school prematurely; or requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance
with excessively long and heavy work.

Child labour in Bihar

Child labour in Bihar (India) is a human rights issue for the nation and the whole world. It is a serious and
extensive problem, with many children under fourteen working in carpet-making factories, glass-blowing
units and making fireworks with bare little hands. According to the statistics given by the Bihar
government, there are more than half a million child labourers in the State, while other agencies claim
that it is 1.5 million. Child labour is a conspicuous problem in Bihar. Its prevalence is evident in the child
work participation rate, which is more than that of other developing countries. Poverty is the reason for
child labour in states like Bihar. Their families also absorb the meagre income of child labourers.

Bonded labour traps the growing child in a hostage-like condition for years. The importance of formal
education is also not realised, as the child can be absorbed in economically beneficial activities at a
young age. Moreover, there is no access to proper education in the remote areas of rural Bihar for most
people, which leaves the children with no choice. Some common causes of child labour are poverty,
parental illiteracy, social apathy, ignorance, lack of education and exposure, and exploitation of cheap
and unorganized labour. The family practice of inculcating traditional skills in children also pulls little
ones inexorably into the trap of child labour, as they never get the opportunity to learn anything else.

According to the Census of 2001, Bihar accounts for 8.9% of the child labour in India in the age group of
5 to 14 years. It ranks 3rd in the number of children in the age group of 5 to 14 years engaged as “Main
Workers” and about 5.8 lakh children in the category of marginal workers. Main workers are those who
work for 6 months or more in a year and marginal workers are those who work for less than 6 months in
a year. Although hand figures are extremely difficult to collect and analyze, it is generally acknowledged
that thousands of children in Bihar are routinely engaged in homes as domestic servants, Dhaba’s,
hotels, eateries factories etc. It is widely believed that Bihar leads in the supply of child labour to other
states. According to a household survey conducted by the Bihar Education Project Council (BEP) in the
year 2005, there were 23.15 lakh out-of-school children in Bihar, out of which 5.6 lakh children were
found out of school because they had to work. The survey has reported that children engaged in work
are one of the major reasons for children not attending school. A report “The Times of India, Patna
edition of 27 September 2006, child labour incidence is worst in the following districts: East Champaran,
West Champaran, Begusarai, Darbhanga, Katihar, Khagaria, Madhubani, Madhepur, and Siwan. According
to a guess estimate, about 5 lakh migrant children from Bihar work in other states.

Irrespective of what is shown in the official statistics, we say that the phenomenon of child labour is
significant because, the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 is legislation to address
hazardous industrial child labour in a limited way as the purview of the Act covers only the organized
sectors of production. As it is inbuilt in the law, this Act has excluded a vast section of toiling children in
the unorganized sectors, as over 90 per cent of the labour force in Bihar is accounted for by the
unorganised sectors of production.
Where Are Children Employed?
According to a report titled “Children in India 2012 – A Statistical Appraisal”, released by the Ministry of
Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), India has the largest number of child labourers
(under 14 years of age) in the world.

The Census 2001 also found that nearly 85% of child labourers are hard–to–reach, invisible and excluded
populations as they work largely in the unorganized sector, both rural and urban, within the family or in
household-based units.

According to the MOSPI report, children are engaged in:

 Agriculture

 Hazardous industries/occupations

 Small industrial workshops and service establishments

 On the streets; and

 Domestic work

The major occupations involving child labour are pan, bidi and cigarettes (21%), construction (17%), and
spinning & weaving (11%), which qualify as hazardous processes/occupations. Domestic workers
constitute 15% of the total child workers.

Rural male children in the age group of 5-14 constitute 50% of children working across the country while
rural females constitute 35% of children working across the country. In Bihar, over 81% of children
working are rural males.
States with high incidences of child labour, Bihar is the 2nd highest state
employing child labourers.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN CHILD LABOUR

COVID-19 has made children more vulnerable to child labour, and the number related to child labour
was bleak even before the pandemic the ongoing pandemic has augmented the existing causes of child
labour, as well as added new ones. Children are forced to work because family incomes are not enough
to survive. Many people, losing their jobs due to Covid-19 the financial crises being faced by families
have increased manifold. Children are considered cheap labour, and with businesses and enterprises
facing massive financial losses, the demand for cheap labour is going to increase. To control on this
problem NGO’s can also help the government build awareness about the issue, the legal provisions
available, and children’s entitlements, as well as act as channels to amplify children’s voices. Complaints
related to child labour can be made directly to authorities such as the district collector, via child line by
calling at 1098, on the government portal PENCIL, or through statutory bodies such as the Nations or
State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights or Child Welfare Committees (CWC).

HAZARDS
Hazardous child labour is defined by Article 3 (d) of ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition
and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999, as:
(d) work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health,
safety or morals of children.

More specifically, hazardous child labour is work in dangerous or unhealthy conditions that could result
in a child being killed, injured or made ill as a consequence of poor safety and health standards and
working arrangements. It can result in permanent disability, ill health and psychological damage. Often
health problems caused by being engaged in child labour may not develop or show up until the child is
an adult.

Children work in dangerous conditions in all sectors, including agriculture, mining, construction,
manufacturing, the service industry, retail and domestic service. However, agriculture is where the
highest incidence of child labourers is found (71%) and it is a sector particularly prone to dangerous
conditions, especially for children. For example, hazardous work in cotton production is among the worst
forms of child labour, as children are exposed to harmful pesticides (as indicated by ILO Convention 182
on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, which was universally ratified in 2020).

Children involved in hazardous work may work at night, over long hours, be exposed to physical,
psychological, or sexual abuse, and have to work in dangerous situations, such as underground,
underwater, at dangerous heights, heat, cold or in isolated and confined spaces. Some children have to
operate unsafe machinery, equipment, and tools, or be required to lift heavy loads and be exposed to
hazardous substances, agents, or processes, or to temperatures, noise levels, or vibrations that can cause
serious damage to their health.

PROVISIONS TO STOP CHILD LABOURING

Mukti Caravan launched in Bihar to combat Child trafficking and Child labour during COVID-19 pandemic
– The Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation launched the Mukti caravan on bicycles across 10 districts
in Bihar to raise, awareness about the trafficking of children and the laws to combat the same. Mukti
Caravan also will be an instrument to prevent the trafficking of children and to collect information about
the movement of traffickers in the villages covered by it. The campaign’s focus on the northern and
north-eastern districts of Bihar is also due to the floods in their parts having rendered a large number of
families homeless and impoverished them.

The team will work in partnership with the state government and aims to strengthen the village child
protection committee to ensure the creation of a child-friendly village. In this time of crisis, child
traffickers have been active in luring children from the poorest of the poor families. Bihar leads in human
trafficking for cheap labour, body trade, human organs and false marriage. About 25 lakh labourers
returned to their villages in Bihar when the lockdown was imposed in March. These labourers will now
find it a challenge to run and sustain their families.
Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation

Founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi, the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation US is
dedicated to eradicating child labour and child exploitation by educating and mobilizing the public,
engaging the private sector to prioritize children in their business models, building the capacity of
partners on the ground and advocating for the protection of children in national and international
policies.

The Child-Friendly Village (Bal Mitra Gram) is the Kailash Satyarthi Foundation’s preventive model of
youth empowerment and village development that protects children from labour by ensuring their
rights, well-being and voices are central to the village community. This is done successfully by involving
the local community and the participation of children themselves through the creation and forming of a
children’s council (Bal Panchayat).

UNICEF

UNICEF India works with government and for-profit agencies to put in place the necessary policy
framework to end child labour in the country. It works with businesses to assess the supply chains and to
find sustainable options to address business practices that lead to child labour. It works with families to
support the ending of labour that is a result of bonded or debt labour. UNICEF supports state
governments to integrate programmes that would end child labour. It also supports communities in
changing their cultural acceptance of child labour, while ensuring alternative income to families, access
to preschools, quality education and protection services.

Smile Foundation

Smile Foundation feels that there is no better tool, but education to end child labour in the country. The
NGO works towards providing basic school education to less privileged children. Through sensitization
efforts, Smile Foundation wants to create awareness of the vulnerability of underprivileged children in
our society. Their motto against child labour: Say NO to Child Labour, Say YES to School. Ensuring
educational support for needy Children remains the prime agenda of Smile Foundation programmes also
by supporting genuine small NGOs, educational trusts, child welfare initiatives, various child education
foundations and grassroots non-government organisations.
 Research on Chhatisgarh
-Gurmat Bal

INTRODUCTION

Kids are the best gift to humankind and Childhood is a significant and susceptible phase of human
advancement as it holds the possibility to the future improvement of any public level. Youngsters who
are raised in an environment which is helpful for their physical, intellectual, and social wellbeing, grow
up to be capable and useful citizens. Each country interfaces its future with the status of its kids (Hazari,
& Mohan, 2021). By performing work when they are below the age of 12, youngsters unduly lessen their
current government assistance or their future pay acquiring abilities. This causes either by contracting
their future outer decision sets or by decreasing their own future individual useful capacities. The
Constitution of India has made pertinent arrangements mandatory for all-inclusive essential instruction.
Work Commissions and Committees have evaluated the issues of youngster work and made broad
proposals (Baruah, 2018). Right up to the Supreme Court, India's court has shown highly sympathetic
attitudes to the issue of child labor. Despite various aggressive laws, regulations, and court
pronouncements, the subject of child labor continues to pose a burden to the country.

BACKGROUND

The dominant understanding of child labor, as defined in the rhetoric of civil and human rights,
encapsulates quite explicitly what must define a perfect childhood based on the realities of the civilized
countries and middleclass families worldwide (Lal, 2019). This research reveals growing perspectives on
child labor from different individuals in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur area. They comprise parents and guardians
of kids, children who have been seriously influenced by the government's perception of child labor in
coastal villages, social and cultural authorities, politicians, and professionals who are fluent in Raipur.
The topic of child labor in India is highly worrying. It is estimated that about one in five children under
the age of 14 is employed in some form of laborer job, implying that 20 percent of kids in the nation are
laborers. In truth, there is no reliable source for gathering information on child labor daily. These
youngsters are vulnerable to emotional and physical abuse during employment, as well as laboring in
hazardous industry settings for low or no pay. The kid laborer is robbed of schooling, wellness, and
strength, all of which are necessary for his or her development. These practices hurt cognitive and
personality traits. Hunger, emigration, low family income, societal circumstances, and other factors
compel a youngster to labor under exploitative situations. The state must recognize the child's plight and
take action to protect the child's fundamental freedoms.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE:

To address permanent institutional mechanisms that incorporate Child labor issues and demonstrate a
Report showing the General Development Programs for benefiting children in the Raipur district.

HYPOTHESIS:
 1. Lack of immediate legal action focusing on general welfare for Child protection in Raipur.
2. [Link] government does not have any plan to punish those employers who employ children as
cheap labor.
3. [Link] officials are indifferent to their duties to supervise the safeguards against the
exploitation of children.

RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT:

The problem statement for the study project is to examine the concerns and challenges in the context of
child labor execution in the Raipur area of Chhattisgarh. The report discusses a qualitative quick
assessment study undertaken for the Raipur district. Children want hands-on, low-cost learning that
combines traditional and contemporary abilities; yet the school is unable to give it. As a result, many
prefer the job above study. The developing discourses critique language usage which is not attributable
to local perceptions and ask for conversation in producing the local version for concepts like child labor
and rights.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:

This report is solely taken in accordance with the evidence presented online which may have brought up
a possibility of misconception within the report. The report is dated between the years 2018-2024 which
means that all the data before the given year isn’t applied due to lack of information present online.
Conversely, there is evidence to suggest that the state deteriorated not from a shortage of cash as it did
from the squandering of valuable assets or the use of more serious conditions with poorer outcomes,
such as institutionalized possibilities for rehabilitation. There are several other causes as well, as shown
by a detailed examination of the structure of implementation and delivery in the child labor laws.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH:

The research brings in about an overview of the child labor present in the state of Chhattisgarh
questioning the understanding of child labor based on internal and popular viewpoints of children and
Raipur residents as per provided by the sources online. The background of child-raising and how much it
influences working childhoods; growing narratives on children's employment; attitudes on education and
work; and opinions on child labor given government policy were all examined.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Concept of Child Labor

Enslavement and forced labor have times of the ancient. The children were the parents' sole domain and
then were exchanged as personal possessions. Protecting a child's interests at a young age not just to
protect his or her growth but also health, but also provides opportunities for future practice and career
achievement. Child labor is perhaps the most serious and worst type of infringement of a child's rights.
This not only precludes a youngster of his youth, but that also shadows all his future educational and
cognitive potential. It is important to establish who is deemed a kid when discussing child labor. Article
12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines "the child" as "any individual
Menander the age of eighteen years, although adulthood is acquired earlier by the legislation that
applies to the child.” The consequences of child labor are numerous and diverse. Child labor is readily
available, with little duties imposed on individuals. Child labor overall is a significant social affliction, and
nationwide effluents cause because the economic failure for middle income to help the family precludes
the child of access to education, enjoy, and entertainment, maneuvers his healthy development,
significantly interfere with the development of the person upbringing, and sabotages his readiness for
personal accountability. Nobody cares about the dangers that kid laborers face. As per UNICEF research,
one of the causes for child labor, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas of the globe, is that
children lack meaningful and authentic alternatives due to a lack of schools and instructors. Many areas,
especially those in rural areas, lack suitable educational facilities, and educational availability, as well as
quality, are extremely low. Additionally, the informal low-wage economy is founded on low-cost, easy-to-
hire, and easy-to-fire labor, typically in the case of child labor. Children are engaged in unorganized trade,
unorganized assembly, and unorganized retail employment after the disorganized agricultural industry,
which involves 60 percent child labor. In India, different cultural and economic as well as interpersonal
problems cooperatively add to the problem of working children, such as the intransigence and
configuration of India's labor force, the dimensions of the shadow economic sector, the limited capacity
of industry sectors to ramp up, and a dearth manufacturing systems, among others.

Legal protocols of Child Labor

The very first preventive law for child labor in India was enacted in 1881 in the guise of the Indian
Industrial Policy Resolution, which prohibited the hiring of children under the age of seven, limited hours
worked for kids to nine hours per day and provided four vacations and rest periods per month. This was
done by the reigning British Authorities to reduce productivity in Indian industry through legislative
constraints (UNICEF. 2020). The Indian Parliament has regularly established legislative measures to
safeguard kids from underage labor. Under Article 24, the Fundamental Rights embodied in the
Constitution ban child labor underneath the age of 14 in any industry or mine or any dangerous
occupation. It might be argued that the many Agreements and Guidelines enacted by the International
Labor Organization have had a significant impact on Indian labor policy, especially child protection
legislation. Aside from constitutional requirements, there are several state legislation that gives
protection under the law to minors in a variety of jobs which are The Minimum Wages, Act 1948 and
guidelines provided under the government, The Employment of Children Act, 1938, The Mines Act, 1952,
The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961, The Children (Pledging of Labor) Act, 1933, The Factories Act,
1948, The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, The Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act,
1966, The Plantations Labor Act, 1951, The Apprentices Act, 1961, Child Labor (Prohibition and
Regulation) Act, 1986, The Shops and Establishment Act in the Various States, and The Atomic Energy
Act, 1962.

Position under International Law

Worries about child labor exploitation and abuse have indeed been raised in the global community as a
matter of humanitarian intervention. There seem to be three major international treaties that address
child labor, namely: I.1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

II. In 1973, the age limit for entry to employment was sixteen years old (ILO Convention138) (Maul,
2019) III.1999's Worst Forms of Child Labor (ILO Convention). India hasn't ratified the penultimate two
International Labor Organization (ILO norms and, just a moment of enactment, managed to make a
reservation to Article 32 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989, declaring that this would
pertain to the article in a gradual way, under its domestic law and international obligations, particularly
as it relates to the age limit.

Position under Domestic Laws

Child labor is discouraged in India, and it is banned under the Government and several laws aimed at
preserving kids and fundamental freedoms (Child and the Law: An Indian Perspective in Plain Language.
2017).

Constitution

The Indian Constitution safeguards children's rights by defining elementary schooling as a Fundamental
Right and laying an obligation on the state to defend their welfare underneath the Directive Principles of
State Policy.

Art. 21: Right to education - The Government shall offer compulsory primary equal educational
opportunity aged 6 to 14 years in the form determined by law. Art. 24: Restriction of child labor in
industries, etc.- No child under the age of fourteen should be hired to work in any industry or mining, or
some other dangerous occupation. Art 39: The State must adhere to certain national priorities. The State
must, in addition, focus its strategy on ensuring- ·that employees' as well as men and women and
female's strength and courage, as well as children's young age, are not misused, and that people are not
coerced by financial necessity to choose occupations inappropriate to their age or power; that kids are
provided opportunity and resources to grow in a healthful, independent, and dignified way, and that
development and adolescence are safeguarded from abuse and physical and moral desertion. Art 45:
Provision for free and compulsory education for children The State must make every effort, within 10
years after the adoption of this Convention, to offer universal primary education for all kids until they
reach the age of 14. Thus, the law gives the right of the child aged 6 to 14 to universal primary
education; forbids compelled labor; outlaws the work of minors under the age of 14 in dangerous
vocations; and advocates measures that protect kids from abuse. Whoever hires or enables a kid to work
is penalized by incarceration for 3 months to 1 year, a fine of INR 10,000–20,000 rupees, or both (Labor
Laws. 2016).

Issues of Child Labor in Raipur

A majority of young and helpless children labor long hours in rural estates, miners, and rock cutting
industries to earn money and support their families. Surprisingly, an astounding 10 million Indian
children operate as augmented laborers in beedi-moving factories, brick ovens, covering weave
businesses, nonprofit groups, etc. (Ray, Chatterjee, 2019). The bulk of them are victims of commercial
sex double-dealing and misappropriation and influence their mind and personality development. The
major feature of child labor in India though is that 90% of working children are concentrated in rural
areas. They engage on ranches and in monarch activities throughout the provinces. Census data, as well
as NSSO data, show a similar structure. This is also an image of a restricted area of the legislation that
focuses solely on visible sorts of child labor in metropolitan areas. Furthermore, they remain as a store
of small ob. supply to be relocated to urban centers with their households in the event of the calamity in
rural areas. In Chhattisgarh, the frequency of childhood workforce involvement is 6.96 percent of all
children aged 5 to 14. In 2019, Child Protection authorities recovered 26 children from a snack shack in
Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Children are also employed in dangerous employment in the yarn and fabric
manufacturing industries. Furthermore, India fails to address the global requirement that prohibits
military recruitment by non-state violent entities (Handbook for monitoring and evaluation of child labor
in agriculture: Measuring the impacts of agricultural and food security programs on child labor in family-
based agriculture. 2018). During the financial quarter, no illegal shelter houses were shuttered, as per
research. As per the report, involved public authorities were also not held accountable for their help in
the running of illegal emergency housing. In 2020, criminal procedures were filed against public officials.

Challenges of Child labor in Raipur

Among the different reasons for youngster labor, unemployment, neediness, and obligation of the
households are the most significant. Many guardians secure advances from the landowners or the
businesses and return the credits in terms of making their youngster work. Indeed, even in India, the
guardians are paid straightforwardly by the landowners and the youngsters are utilized for the obligation
of the repayment. In various cases, the kids are constrained to relocate temporarily because of the
closest urban areas or the metropolitan spaces of connecting States to earn the needful resource (Scroll
Staff, 2019). In India, often no legitimate appraisals of kid labor are accessible. Different social
researchers and non-governmental organizations have assessed their figures depending upon their
system and in the form of kid work. In this manner, the estimation of kid workers is not correct and
differs from source to source. In any case, as indicated by the ILO, India contributes to about 33% of
Asia's youngsters and a fourth of the World's working kids. As per different social researchers, with
estimates changing between 60 to 115 million, India has the largest number of working youngsters on
the planet (Research Handbook on Labor, Business and Human Rights Law. 2019). An important element
of kid workers in India is that almost eleven to eighteen million working kids are roadside leaving kids
and approximately fifteen million youngsters fill in as bonded laborers.

METHODOLOGY:

The chapter that follows describes the methods and methodologies utilized in the research to assess the
challenges and complications of child labor in India's Raipur area. In line with the aims outlined, the
method for the study, including the evaluation of acceptable publications and references, was
completed. The thesis starts with a discussion of the theoretical perspective used for the research, which
includes hypotheses about the various reasons for child labor. Secondary data were employed in the
investigation, along with a qualitative analysis. The idea behind qualitative research methodologies is
social materialist philosophy, as well as the goal, which is to describe and disclose people's behavior
from the standpoint of the persons being investigated. This qualitative research approach was chosen
since this study explores child labor from the viewpoint of the child workers themselves. With this
strategy, the researcher may discover much more regarding impact determinants underlying child labor,
namely the socioeconomic backdrop, the child's wellbeing, especially their work circumstances. In
comparison to a quantitative research approach, the qualitative method can provide a better knowledge
of the fundamental reasons for child labor in the research. Data gathering methods include the book,
direct attendance at courses, seminars, conferences, webinars, and judgments, textual analysis and case
studies, RTI, reference materials, periodicals, digests, and so on. It is concerned with the research of the
legal theory, as well as how it was established and utilized. The non-doctrinal study, also known as social
legitimate study, will indeed be investigated. This type of research employs tactics drawn from several
orders to provide precise data that answers research problems. It is usually a problem, an arrangement,
or a modification in the present legislation. The literature assessment has been mostly derived from the
research papers from various experts and publications from UNICEF as well as the ILO on global worker
rights including human rights accords. The purpose of this study is to present a realistic assessment of
the child labor scenario. This work analyzed peer reviewed internet resources including academic
materials authored by various experts to identify the current child labor legislation. The document
critically presents the situation's history, the objective of the study question, methods, limits, and
overview. In addition, the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh is used to investigate the issue of child labor in
India (Islam, 2018).

CONCLUSION:

Even though poverty was discovered to be the major underlying determinant of child employment in
Raipur by the study. According to the research, poverty alone is insufficient to describe the incidence of
child labor. The consequences of child labor are almost too complicated to be explained by a single
causative element, particularly whenever the social environment is included. As a result of the
examination of the article, it can even be concluded that the regulatory framework adheres to
internationally recognized criteria of international labor law about child labor. Nonetheless, their
effectiveness can be called into doubt, even though a few of these have yielded quite favorable
outcomes. The federal statute and are frequently at odds, and Raipur is no exception. More study must
also be conducted from a kid centered standpoint, as no one can describe the argument properly than
even the child workers themselves. The research also believes that it is critical to do a study into how
enhanced education programs might make the situation better for children who work.
 Vision for Eradication of Child Labor
-Sejal Priya

Child labor in the states of Bihar and Chhattisgarh is a pervasive and deeply rooted problem
that has devastating consequences for countless children. Driven by poverty, lack of
education, and societal norms, millions of children are forced to abandon their education
and enter the workforce at a tender age, often under hazardous conditions.

The root causes of this crisis are multifaceted. Poverty, particularly in rural areas, compels
families to rely on their children's income for survival. The lack of access to quality
education limits future job prospects, trapping children in a cycle of poverty. Deeply
ingrained social and cultural norms often dictate that children contribute to the household
economy, particularly in rural areas. Unscrupulous employers exploit this vulnerability,
offering low wages and hazardous working conditions. Moreover, weak enforcement of
child labor laws and inadequate government oversight exacerbate the problem.

Welfare organizations working to combat child labor face numerous challenges. Limited
resources, lack of awareness in communities, resistance from families, complex legal issues,
and cultural barriers hinder their efforts. To effectively address this crisis, a comprehensive
and multi-faceted approach is necessary.

First and foremost, education and awareness campaigns are crucial. By educating
communities about the harmful effects of child labor and the benefits of education, we can
foster a more supportive environment for children. Vocational training programs can equip
children with marketable skills, increasing their future employment opportunities. Providing
scholarships and financial assistance can encourage school enrollment and completion.

Strengthening the enforcement of child labor laws is another essential step. Government
agencies responsible for enforcing these laws must be adequately resourced and
empowered to act against violators. Stricter penalties for employers who exploit child labor
can serve as a deterrent. Effective mechanisms for reporting and investigating child labor
cases must be established.

Addressing the underlying causes of child labor, such as poverty, is equally important.
Poverty alleviation programs can provide income support to vulnerable families, reducing
their reliance on child labor. Promoting sustainable livelihood options can empower families
to break out of the cycle of poverty.
Partnerships and collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local
communities can enhance the effectiveness of child labor interventions. Encouraging
private sector involvement can provide additional resources and support.

Strengthening child protection systems is vital to ensure the safety and well-being of
children rescued from child labor. Rehabilitation services, including counseling and trauma
support, are essential for helping children recover from their experiences.

Data-driven approaches can inform policy decisions and resource allocation. Regular
surveys and data collection can help monitor the prevalence of child labor and assess the
effectiveness of interventions.

By addressing the root causes of child labor and overcoming the challenges faced by
welfare organizations, we can create a more equitable and just future for children in Bihar
and Chhattisgarh. A concerted effort from governments, NGOs, communities, and
individuals is essential to break the cycle of child labor and ensure that every child can
realize their full potential.
 Case Study: Impact Of Covid – 19 on Child Labor
-Sahiba Kaur Malik

Introduction- The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences on various socio-economic
aspects of Indian society, with child labour being one of the most affected areas. Before the pandemic,
India was already grappling with the issue of child labour, with approximately 10.1 million children aged
5-14 years engaged in some form of labour (Census 2011). The pandemic exacerbated these challenges,
reversing years of progress made in reducing child labour.

Economic Fallout- The nationwide lockdowns and subsequent economic slowdown led to mass
unemployment and a sharp increase in poverty. More than 230 million people in India were pushed into
poverty, leaving many families struggling to survive. With schools closed and household incomes
diminished, children were increasingly pushed into labour to support their families. The sudden
migration of millions of labourers from urban to rural areas further increased child labour, especially in
informal sectors like agriculture, construction, and factories.

Increased Vulnerability and Exploitation- The economic distress caused by the pandemic made children
more vulnerable to exploitation. Many children were forced into hazardous labour environments, facing
poor working conditions with little regard for their health or safety. In industries such as brick kilns,
factories, and domestic work, the demand for cheap labour led to an increase in child labour. With
limited access to online education due to the digital divide, children were more likely to drop out of
school, thus increasing the likelihood of them entering the workforce prematurely.

Gender Disparities- The impact of the pandemic on child labour also revealed significant gender
disparities. Girls were disproportionately affected, with many taking on household responsibilities or
being pushed into domestic work and even early marriages due to financial pressures. This has led to a
setback in efforts aimed at promoting gender equality in education and economic empowerment.

Health and Safety Concerns- Children working during the pandemic faced heightened health risks, as
they were often employed in unsafe environments where proper COVID-19 precautions were not
followed. This increased their vulnerability to the virus as well as other health hazards associated with
child labour, such as injuries, malnutrition, and exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Government Response and Interventions- In response to the worsening child labour situation, the
Indian government introduced various relief measures, including the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, which
provided food and cash support to families in need. Initiatives like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan were
launched to improve access to online education. However, the effectiveness of these measures was often
hampered by implementation challenges and the deep digital divide that left many children without
access to remote learning.

Role of NGOs and Civil Society- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups played
a vital role in addressing child labour during the pandemic. Organizations such as Bachpan Bachao
Andolan and Childline India were instrumental in rescuing children from exploitative labour situations.
These organizations also focused on rehabilitation and education, working to prevent children from
permanently dropping out of school.

Long-Term Impact- The long-term impact of COVID-19 on child labour is profound. The loss of education
during the pandemic threatens to create a generation of children who may never return to school,
leading to increased poverty cycles. The pandemic has also rolled back significant progress made in
reducing child labour, making it a critical issue for future policy and intervention efforts.
 Self – Authored Story
-Tejash Dasgupta

IN THE EARLY DAWN OF A BUSTLING CITY

In the early dawn of a bustling city, where the first light of day struggles
to pierce through the thick veil of smog, a small figure scurries through
the narrow alleyways. Meet Raju, a ten-year-old boy, who should be
clutching a schoolbook and dreaming about adventures in far-off lands.
Instead, his hands, calloused and worn, grasp a heavy sack filled with
scraps of metal and discarded items—treasures in his world. Raju's
story begins in a village nestled in the heart of a vast, fertile plain. His
father, a farmer, toiled endlessly, but the rains were fickle and the crops
meager. The family's debt grew as did the desperation. The shimmering
promise of the city, with its towering buildings and streets paved with
opportunity, lured them away from their ancestral home. But the city,
unforgiving and cold, quickly shattered their dreams. Jobs were scarce
and the cost of living high. It wasn’t long before the family found
themselves in a cramped, dilapidated shack, struggling to make ends
meet. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long
shadows over their tiny room, Raju's parents made a heart-wrenching
decision. Raju, despite his tender age, would need to work. The
following morning, with a tearful goodbye and a small bundle of food,
Raju ventured into the unknown world of child labour. Raju's journey
took him to a bustling scrap yard on the city's outskirts. Here, children
like him sifted through mountains of refuse, searching for anything that
could be sold for a pittance. The air was thick with the acrid smell of
burning rubber and the constant clang of metal on metal. Days blurred
into nights, and the relentless cycle of work became Raju's new reality.
His dreams of education and a brighter future were buried under the
weight of his daily struggles. In another part of the city, twelve-year-old
Asha toiled in a dimly lit garment factory. Rows of children, their fingers
nimble yet aching, stitched garments destined for far-off lands. The
factory was a labyrinth of sweat and sorrow, where the hum of sewing
machines was punctuated by the sharp reprimands of overseers. Asha's
eyes, once filled with the spark of curiosity, now mirrored the dull grey
of the factory walls. Her childhood, once vibrant with dreams of
becoming a teacher, was stitched into the very fabric she laboured over.
Despite the harshness of their realities, Raju and Asha found solace in
fleeting moments. A shared smile during a brief respite, a whispered
story that transported them back to simpler times, and dreams of a
future unburdened by toil. They clung to these fragments of hope, even
as the weight of their burdens threatened to crush them. The issue of
child labour is not just a statistic or a policy challenge; it is the stolen
childhoods of millions like Raju and Asha. It is the silent suffering hidden
behind closed doors and factory walls. Their stories are a stark reminder
of the human cost of poverty and exploitation. Every child deserves the
right to learn, to play, and to dream. Yet, for many, these simple rights
remain elusive. As dusk falls and the city lights flicker to life, Raju and
Asha continue their arduous journeys. But their stories, and those of
countless others, echo a collective cry for justice and change. The world
must listen and act, for every child deserves to hold a book, not a
burden.
 Conclusion
-Yashika Gulati

Child labor is a violation of children's rights, with devastating

consequences for individual children and societies. Eradicating child
labor requires a coordinated effort between governments,
international organizations, businesses, and communities, along with
addressing the root causes such as poverty and lack of education.
Ending child labor ensures that children can grow up in safe, healthy
environments and receive the education they need for a better
future.