Picture Credit – Times of India
Child Labour refers to the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives children of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and is mentally, physically, socially and morally harmful.
In child labour, children of very tender ages are forced to work to earn money. Slavery, child trafficking, debt bondage, forced labour, children in armed conflict and children working in illegal activities are considered to be some of the worst forms of child labour. Hazardous work is also one of the worst forms of child labour.
Causes
The root cause of child labour is poverty. The lack of money is the biggest cause of child labour. Inadequate money forces people to give birth to many children and then force them to work in factories to earn money.
Lack of resources is also a big cause of child labour. Such people’s children working is a forced necessity for them. These people have to make both ends meet to just get two meals per day.
Unemployment is also another cause of child labour. When there are no jobs then children are forced to work as labourers to earn money and fill their stomachs.
Ingrained cultural traditions and attitudes surrounding child labour worsen the situation. Those who themselves work as labour already have it engraved in their minds that their children will also work as labour. They do not dream of letting their children get out of those shackles and do something else.
Violation of existing laws and regulations on child labour aggravates the causes. Although many laws have been made against this practice to curb it, not even when a law is made people find ways to break and get out of those laws. Corruption in the enforcement of laws nullifies the effect of any law that is executed against child labour.
Inadequate or weak national educational systems adds fuel to fire. Access to compulsory and free education is limited.
Workers’ rights are often repressed and not followed.
Inadequate enforcement of laws and regulations adds up to the causes of child labour.
Effects
The consequences of child labour are staggering.
First of all, the future of the kids who are pushed into child labour at an early age is destroyed. The dark clouds of problems and struggles take over their lives. The burden of supporting their family has been put over their shoulders too early in their lives, which is actually a time to enjoy their childhood and build their future.
The childhood of such children is completely ruined. As it is the time for children to do their schooling and focus on their health and both of them are put at stake.
Second of all, the mental and physical pain that these children have to bear is inexplicable. Child labour weakens the children’s bodies and their strength and stamina. Due to this, these children are usually malnourished.
And along with this their mental peace is obviously snatched away from them.
Child labour can even result in the death of such children. It is extremely hazardous for their health.
In some industries like firecrackers and glass bangle making, so much dust and chemicals are to deal with that these children even lose their eyesight and ability to hear.
Usually, girls are forced to work as housemaids in cities. And in many cases, girls even have to face harassment from some cruel lads.
Child labour can also lead to slavery and sexual or economic exploitation.
Suggestions
Child labour is great malice to society. So, it is high time we join together our hands to curb this menace.
Awareness should be created in people through paper and electronic media. Education is the birthright of a person.
People should be made to understand that education is a virtue and it is very important for anyone to have at least their basic education. Work can be done at a later age but education once avoided can not be regained.
Every year 12 June is celebrated as world day against child labour.
Many laws have been made against child labour but they are neither followed nor respected. Proper and strict enforcement of laws is the need of the hour.
It is illegal to force a child of 14 years of age or below to work as child labour.
Exemplary punishment should be given to the violators of laws. Effective implementation of the laws should be done.
Initiatives should be taken to send more and more children to school. NGOs should be set up.
Written By – Shubhangi Mittal
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