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Child Labour in India: Causes, Governmental Policies and The Role of Education
Child Labour in India: Causes, Governmental Policies and The Role of Education
Education
By Mitesh Badiwala
Introduction
The issue of child labour is a developmental issue worth studying. The idea that
children are being exploited and forced into labour concerns many people. India
is a good example of a nation which suffers from the problem of child labour
[Human Rights Watch (HRW) 1996, 1].
What are the causes of child labour in India? How do governmental policies
affect it? What role does education play in regard to child labour in India? The
answers to these questions may lead us to possible solutions.
This article discusses the problem of child labour, how common it is and the
types, the role of poverty and government policies. Education policies and their
relationship to child labour are described. In addition, solutions to some aspects
of this problem will be offered.
The problem of child labour in India
How many children are involved?
It is difficult to monitor the current number of children engaged in child labour.
This is because the Indian Government does not collect or analyze current data
regarding child labour. Collecting information is difficult because people know
child labour is against the law and they do not want to get into trouble (Devi
1985, 37). Many official figures continue to be based on information gathered in
1981 (HRW 1996, 122). UNICEF estimates that there may be from seventy-five
to ninety million child labourers under the age of fourteen (HRW 1996, 122).
What are children doing in terms of work?
The 1981 Census of India (cited in Nangia 1987, 72) divided child labour into
nine industrial divisions.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
Cultivation,
Agricultural Labour,
Livestock, Forestry, Fishing, Plantation,
Mining and Quarrying,
Manufacturing, Processing, Servicing and Repairs,
Construction,
Trade and Commerce
Transport, Storage and Communication, and
Other Services
Table 1.1 shows the percentage distribution of child workers by these industrial
divisions in 1981.
Human rights organizations tend to focus on the
manufacturing types of child labour because most children in these situations are
bonded labourers. Bonded labourers work in conditions similar to slavery in
order to pay off a loan, and for children this is usually a parents debt (HRW
1996, 2). Estimates place the number of bonded child labourers in India at close
to one million [International Labour Organisation (ILO) 1992, 15].
Table 1.1 Percentage distribution of child workers (in India) by industrial divisions
In 1981 (Census of India 1981 cited in Nangia 1987, 72).
Type of
Worker
Urban
Rural
Total
II
14.73
45.42
42.74
III
3.07
6.61
6.30
IV
0.20
0.25
0.24
V
39.16
5.72
8.65
VI
3.27
0.47
0.72
VII
15.03
0.96
2.19
VIII
2.45
0.10
0.30
IX
16.77
1.60
2.93
39.5
Equal to
Half
19.1
3.7
6.1
Uncertain
24.7
and a low child work participation rate of 1.9% (in 1971). This compares to the
Indian average of 7.1% in 1971 (Weiner 1991, 175). Weiner (1991) also points
out that The Kerala government has made no special effort to end child labour.
It is the expansion of the school system rather than the enforcement of labour
legislation that has reduced the amount of child labour. (p. 177).
Article 45 of the Constitution of India states that The State shall endeavour to
provide within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution
for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of
fourteen years (Jain 1985, 219). This goal has not been reached yet.
Conclusion
Child labour is a significant problem in India. Its prevalence is shown by child
work participation rates which are higher in India than in other developing
countries.
The major cause of child labour is poverty. Even though children are paid less
than adults are, whatever income they earn is of benefit to poor families. In
addition to poverty, the lack of adequate and accessible sources of credit forces
poor parents to use their children as bonded child labourers. Some parents also
feel that a formal education is not useful, and that children learn work skills
through working. Another cause is poor access to education. In some areas,
education is not affordable, or is found to be inadequate. With no other
alternatives, children inevitably spend their time working.
The Constitution of India clearly states that child labour is wrong and that
measures should be taken to end it. The government of India has set a minimum
age of employment. This Act does not make all child labour illegal. Despite
policies enforcement is a problem. If child labour is to be stopped in India, the
government and those responsible for enforcement need to start doing their jobs.
Policies without enforcement are useless.
Education in India also needs to be improved. High illiteracy and dropout rates
reflect the low quality of the educational system. Poverty plays a role in the
ineffectiveness of the educational system. Dropout rates are high because
children are forced to work in order to support their families. The attitudes of the
parents also contribute to the lack of enrollment. Compulsory education may
help in regard to these attitudes. The examples of Sri Lanka and Kerala show
that compulsory education has worked in those areas. Hopefully the future will
show that progress will be made towards universal education, and stopping child
labour.
Child labour cannot be eliminated by focusing on one cause, for example
education, or by strict enforcement of child labour laws. The government of India
must ensure that the needs of the poor are filled before attacking child labour. If
poverty is addressed, the need for child labour will automatically be reduced.
Children grow up illiterate because they are working and not attending school. A
cycle of poverty is formed and the need for child labour is constant from one
generation to the next. India needs to deal with the underlying causes of child
labour and the enforcement of laws. Only then will India succeed in the fight
against child labour.
Content Copyright 1998 Mitesh badiwala/Edited by MacLeod, Bouscaren, Ledwell and Rivard
Mar/01
Source: Child Labour Inquiry http://www.geocties.com/CollegePark/Library/9175/inquiry1.htm
2.
3.
4.
5.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Sri Lanka
paragraph 17
Kerala
paragraph 18
Solutions to child
labour problem
(a) ______________________
School
Participation rates
58% - 74%
Literacy rates
58% in 1946
86% in 1984
Child
employment rates
1.9% in Kerala
Main Ideas
Choose the statement that best gives the main idea for the reading section
identified. For some questions you must look at more than one paragraph.
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Student Name: .
Section: .
a b c d
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(a)
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a b c d
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mark
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a b c d
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mark
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a b c d
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mark
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mark
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Questions 6 11
Word limit 8 words each question
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and
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and
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Score : ___________/21
Percent: __________%