INTRODUCTION

One of India’s most pervasive societal problems is child

labour. Several businesses, including agriculture,
manufacturing, construction, mining, and domestic
service, employ children. India is the country with the
most child labourers in the world, according to the
International Labour Organization (ILO), with an
estimated 10 million kids between the ages of 5 and 17
working in some capacity.
Child labour is a widespread problem that is
complicated by a number of social, economic, and
cultural variables. Some of the main causes of the
perpetuation of this issue include poverty, illiteracy
and insufficient enforcement of child labour laws. In
addition to robbing kids of their childhood, child labour
jeopardizes their health, education, and general well-
being.
In order to address the issue of child labour, the Indian
government has taken a number of actions, including
the adoption of laws and regulations to uphold
children’s rights. To end this practise and guarantee
that all children in India have access to education,
healthcare, and other fundamental rights, however,
much more work needs to be done.
 CAUSES OF CHILD LABOUR
India’s problem with child labour is complicated and
has numerous underlying reasons. The following are
some of the main causes of this issue’s enduring
nature:
 Poverty: One of the main factors contributing to
child labour in India is poverty. Many low-income
families rely on the money their kids make to
make ends meet. Frequently, they put their kids to
work since they can’t afford to send them to
school.
 Lack of Education: Lack of education is a
significant contributor to child labour. Many
youngsters who are made to labour come from
low-income households that are unable to pay for
their education. As a result, they pass up the
chance to learn and enhance their prospects for
the future.
 Cultural factors: It is typical for children to work
alongside their parents or other family members in
some communities in India. It is challenging to end
the cycle of child labour due to this long-standing
cultural custom.
 Inadequate enforcement of child labour laws:
Child labour regulations not being effectively
enforced: India has rules against child labour, but
they are frequently not carried out as intended.
Employers who use underage labourers frequently
go unpunished, which encourages them to keep
doing so.
 Migration: The issue of child labour is also
exacerbated by migration from rural to urban
regions. Youngsters who go to the city with their
parents frequently find themselves working under
risky and abusive circumstances.
 These are but a few of the reasons why children
work in India. A multi-pronged strategy involving
education, social welfare initiatives, and efficient
law enforcement will be needed to address these
concerns.
 THE EFFECT OF CHILD LABOUR INCLUDE
 Children’s physical, emotional, and psychological
wellbeing is severely harmed by child work in
India. Following are a few negative effects of child
labour:
1. Health issues: As a result of the hazardous working
circumstances they are subjected to, children who
are compelled to work frequently experience
health issues. Without the right safety gear or
training, they could labour long hours in hazardous
conditions, which can result in accidents, illnesses,
and even fatalities.
2. Education deprivation: Depriving children of their
right to an education is child labour. The inability
of many working children to attend school reduces
their future possibilities and feeds the poverty
cycle.
3. Social isolation: Social isolation can result from
child labour as well. Working kids frequently lose
out on opportunities to engage and socialise with
their classmates, which may be detrimental to
their emotional and social growth.
4. Trauma psychological: The stress, abuse, and
exploitation forced workers face can lead to
psychological trauma in the kids. Long-term
mental health difficulties like anxiety, sadness, and
post-traumatic stress disorder may result from this
(PTSD).
5. Poverty perpetuation: By preventing kids from
getting an education and acquiring the skills and
information they need to enhance their prospects
for the future, child labour keeps them in poverty
for longer periods of time.
 These are but a few negative effects of child labour
in India. Government, civil society, and the
business sector will need to work together to
address this issue in order to guarantee that all
children are safeguarded from exploitation and
have access to education, healthcare, and other
fundamental rights.
 SEVERAL INDUSTRIES IN WHICH CHILDREN WORK

 Children work in a variety of industries in India,

including:

1. Agriculture: Especially in rural areas, children

are frequently employed in agriculture. They
might perform farm labour, picking crops and
taking care of cattle.
2. Manufacturing: Businesses like those that
produce textiles, leather goods, and fireworks
employ kids as well. They might work in
manufacturing, which expose them to risky
circumstances and long hours.
3. Construction: Especially in metropolitan
areas, children are employed in the industry.
They might conduct additional physical labour
duties like hauling items on construction sites.
4. Domestic work: Many children in India carry
out household duties for affluent families as
domestic staff. They might put through long
hours and endure verbal and physical abuse.
 Children are employed in the mining industry,
especially in small-scale mines. They might
perform their duties in dangerous environments
with little or no safety gear.
TYPES OF ILLNESS AND INJURIES SUFFERED BY
CHILD LABORERS
 Children who are required to work in dangerous
Situations can get a variety of illnesses and
injuries. These are a few instances:
1. Diseases of the respiratory system: Children
who work in industries like textiles, leather
goods, and fireworks may be exposed to
hazardous chemicals and dust, which can
result in respiratory conditions including
asthma and bronchitis.
2. Skin disorders: Toxic chemicals that can cause
skin irritation, rashes, and other skin diseases
can be exposed to children working in sectors
like textiles and leather goods.
3. Musculoskeletal injuries: Children who
engage in physically demanding professions
like agriculture and construction may be
subjected to strains and sprains from their
musculoskeletal injuries.
4. Hearing loss: Children exposed to loud noises
while working in industries like construction
and fireworks risk developing hearing loss.
GOVERNMENTAL STEPS DONE TO REDUCE CHILD
LABOUR
 The Indian government has taken a number of
steps to stop child labour and defend children’s
rights. These are a few instances:
 All children between the ages of 6 and 14 are
entitled to free and compulsory education under
the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory
Education Act (RTE), which was passed in 2009.
Also, the law forbids child work and requires all
kids to go to school.
 All children between the ages of 6 and 14 are
entitled to free and compulsory education under
the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory
Education Act (RTE), which was passed in 2009.
Also, the law forbids child work and requires all
kids to go to school.
 The National Child Labour Project (NCLP) is a
government initiative that offers healthcare,
vocational training, and education to children
who work in the labour force. The programme
also aims to help kids get better and be
reintegrated into society at large.
 The government’s Integrated Child Development
Services (ICDS) programme offers a variety of
services to young children under the age of six,
such as health care, nutrition, and early
childhood education.
 Children under the age of 14 are not allowed to
work in any sectors, and children between the
ages of 14 and 18 are not allowed to work in
hazardous industries, according to the Child
Work (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment
Act, which was passed in 2016.
 Children under the age of 14 are not allowed to
work in any sectors, and children between the
ages of 14 and 18 are not allowed to work in
hazardous industries, according to the Child
Work (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment
Act, which was passed in 2016.
 These are only a few examples of the actions
made by the Indian government to stop child
labour and defend children’s rights. To
guarantee that all children in India have access
to education, healthcare, and a safe and secure
childhood, more work must be done.
METHODS FOR ENDING CHILD LABOUR

 Here are some strategies for ending child labour.

1. Education: Preventing child labour requires a

strong emphasis on education. By educating
kids, parents, communities, and society as a
whole may learn the value of education and the
dangers of child labour. Also, education
increases children’s future opportunities,
minimising the necessity for them to start
working at an early age.
2. Raising awareness and fighting for children’s
rights can aid in the elimination of child labour.
Government and civil society can collaborate to
lessen child labour by developing awareness
campaigns and promoting stricter laws and
policies that safeguard children.

3. Increased access to credit and other resources,

as well as better economic conditions, can all
contribute to a decrease in the prevalence of
child labour. Families who have access to
resources are less likely to depend on the
earnings that their kids generate through work.

4. Laws that prohibit child labour should be more

strictly enforced in order to help put an end to
the practise. This involves ensuring that rescued
child labourers receive assistance and
rehabilitative programmes, tougher
punishments for individuals who employ minors,
and holding employers accountable for breaking
labour laws.
5. Empowering women: Since women are
frequently the major caretakers and decision-
makers in households, empowering women can
aid in the prevention of child labour. Women
can be better prepared to support their families
without relying on the income of their children if
they have access to education, work
opportunities, and other resources.
6. Corporate social responsibility: By establishing
moral and ethical business practises, businesses
can help to eliminate child labour. This entails
keeping an eye on their supply chain to make
sure that no children are employed in the
manufacturing of their products and supporting
programmes that advance children’s rights.
7. Stakeholders may collaborate to end child
labour and guarantee that all children have
access to education, healthcare, and other
fundamental rights by putting these measures
into place.
 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, child labour is a serious issue in India
that robs kids of their youth, education, and
possibilities for the future. It not only tramples on
children’s rights but also threatens the advancement of
society as a whole. A variety of economic, social, and
cultural factors contribute to the persistence of child
labour, but the government, NGOs, and civil society
can assist end the practise through coordinated efforts.
The prevalence of child labour in India has decreased
thanks to programmes like the National Child Labour
Programme, the Child Labour Prohibition and
Regulation Act of 1986, and the National Policy on
Child Labour. To address the underlying causes of child
labour and guarantee that all children have access to
education, healthcare, and a reasonable quality of
living, more work must be done.
A multifaceted strategy that involves lobbying,
education, better economic conditions, stronger legal
enforcement, women’s emancipation, and corporate
social responsibility is needed to prevent child labour.
Working together, we can end child labour and give
every child in India a better future.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Teacher – Chinmayee mam

 Books – All in one, English text book NCERT
 Friends – Sumit, Aditya
 Websites – HSC project .com
- wikipedia.com
 Apps – chat gpt
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that this project has been made by

Tridev Kumar pradhan of class – XII ‘E’.
On the topic of “Lost Childhood” under the
guidance of our English teacher Mrs Chinmayee
das and have been completed successfully.

Teacher signature
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude

to my teacher Mrs chinmyee Das, who gave me the
opportunity to do this wonderful project on
“Lost Childhood” , who also helped me in completing
my project. I came to know about so many new things.
I am really thankful to her.

Name – Tridev Kumar pradhan

Class – XII ‘E’
Roll no -
 CONTENT

1.Introduction.
2.Causes of child labour
3.The effect of child labour
4.Several industries where children work
5.Types of illness suffered by child labourers
6.Governmental steps to reduce child labour
7.Methods for ending child labour
8.Conclusion
9.Bibliography