Introduction

Childhood is a critical period in a person's life, laying the foundation for their future development and
contribution to society. It's a time when children should be nurtured, educated, and provided with
opportunities to grow physically, mentally, and socially. However, the scourge of child labor disrupts this
ideal scenario, robbing children of their right to a proper childhood and hindering their chances of a
brighter future.
Child labor often stems from economic desperation, where families, particularly those living in poverty,
feel compelled to send their children to work to supplement household income. This decision is usually
driven by harsh economic realities rather than a desire to deny children their rights. Children engaged in
labor often work in hazardous conditions, enduring long hours and meager pay. They are forced to forego
education, sacrificing their chance to learn and develop essential skills.
Child labor remains a persistent challenge in India, despite constitutional guarantees and legislative
measures aimed at its eradication.
Constitutional Provision

Article 21 A: Right to Education

The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 6 to 14 years in such
manner as the State, by law, may determine.

Article 24: Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.

No child below the age fourteen years shall be employed in work in any factory or mine or engaged in
any other hazardous employment.

Article 39(e): The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing
(e) that the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused
and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or
strength.
Legal Provisions
In furtherance of these constitutional provisions, the Indian government enacted the

Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.

As per the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 “child” means a person who has not
completed is 14th year of age. The Act prohibits employment of children in 13 occupations and 57
processes contained in Part A & B of the Schedule to the Act (Section 3). The act was amended on 2016
and prohibits children and adolescence from engaging in hazardous occupations and regulates their
employment in non-hazardous ones.

National Policy on Child Labour in 1987.

This policy aims to eradicate child labor and protect children from exploitation through legislative action,
general development programs, and project-based plans of action. One of the significant interventions to
combat child labor is the National Child Labour Project (NCLP), initiated in 1988. This project focuses
on withdrawing children from hazardous industries, providing them with education, vocational training,
nutrition, and health check-ups. Implemented through district-level Project Societies, the NCLP has
expanded its coverage over the years,
Factories Act 1948
The Act prescribe specific rules regarding the employment of children in factories. It Prohibits the
employment of young children under the age of 14 in Sec 67.
These acts and policies work in conjunction with India’s commitment to eradicate child labor and provide
a comprehensive legal framework for achieving the same.
Conclusion
Despite these efforts, the persistence of child labor underscores the need for stronger enforcement,
enhanced educational opportunities, and poverty alleviation programs. Continuous monitoring and
coordination among various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and civil society, are
essential to effectively address this complex issue and ensure the well-being and future prospects of
India's children.