This could result in the first-ever rise in child labour in 20 years. Since 2000, child labour decreased by 94 million but this gain could soon be reversed warn the two multilateral bodies.
This could result in the first-ever rise in child labour in 20 years. Since 2000, child labour decreased by 94 million but this gain could soon be reversed warn the two multilateral bodies. | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI 12 JUNE 2020 16:18 IST
UPDATED: 12 JUNE 2020 16:18 IST
COVID-19 may push millions more into child labour: world bodies
Since 2000, child labour decreased by 94 million but this gain could soon be reversed, they warn
The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to push millions of children around the world into child labour, while those already employed may be forced to work longer hours and under worsening conditions, according to a new brief from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the UNICEF.
This could result in the first-ever rise in child labour in 20 years. Since 2000, child labour decreased by 94 million but this gain could soon be reversed warn the two multilateral bodies.
“As the pandemic wreaks havoc on family incomes, without support, many could resort to child labour,” said ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder. “Social protection is vital in times of crisis, as it provides assistance to those who are most vulnerable. Integrating child labour concerns across broader policies for education, social protection, justice, labour markets, and international human and labour rights makes a critical difference.”
The brief highlights a direct co-relation between a rise in poverty and increasing number of children falling through the safety net. The brief cites studies to state that a one percentage point rise in poverty leads to at least a 0.7 per cent increase in child labour in certain countries.
The brief recommends social protection measures such as expanding cash transfer programmes, providing access to health care, ensuring income and food security through creating decent work for adult. It also harps on the need to ensure every child’s access to health and enforcing labour laws.
Law related to child labour:-
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986
Article 24 of the Indian constitution clearly states that, “No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or employed in any hazardous employment.” The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986 designates a child as a person who has not completed their 14th year of age. It aims to regulate the hours and the working conditions of child workers and to prohibit child workers from being employed in hazardous industries.
Constitutional Provisions for Child Upliftment
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: 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.
List of Hazardous Occupations & Hazardous Occupations Process
- -Transport of passengers, goods or mails by railways
- -Cinder picking, clearing of an ash pit or building operation in the railway premises
- -Work in a catering establishment at a railway station, involving the movement of a vendor or any other employee of the establishment from the one platform to another or in to or out of a moving train
- -Work relating to the construction of a railway station or with any other work where such work is done in close proximity to or between the railway lines
- -A port authority within the limits of any port
- – Work relating to selling of crackers and fireworks in shops with temporary licenses
- -Abattoirs/Slaughter House
- – Automobile workshops and garages
- -Foundries
- -Handling of toxic or inflammable substances or explosives
- -Handloom and power loom industry
- -Mines (underground and under water) and collieries
- -Plastic units and fibreglass workshops
- – Domestic workers or servants and
- -Dhabas (roadside eateries), restaurants, hotels, motels, tea shops, resorts, spas or other recreational centres
- -Diving
- -Caring of Elephant
- -Working in the circus
How Can You File A Complaint Against Child Labour?
- FIR
- Call 1098 ChildLine India Foundation Helpline
- Call the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
- Labour Commissioner:- One can file a complaint with the Department of Labour Relations on their website and fill in the details about any child labour incident.
- PENCIL Portal:- Anyone can file an online complaint under the PENCIL Portal Child Labour Section, with the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The guidelines under the law for children who work in family businesses:-
- The child can only work in a family enterprise to help his or her own family and only work for the family.
- The child cannot be given work during school hours and between 7 pm and 8 am.
- The child cannot be engaged in tasks which may severely affect his education or homework or extra-curricular activity assigned to him or her.
- The child cannot be engaged in continuous tasks without rest which would make him or her tired. It is important to provide care and support for the child by providing breaks to refresh his health and mind. That is why the law states that the child should not work continuously for more than 3 hours.