Child labour in India is the practice where children engage in economic activity, on part time or full time basis. The practice deprives children of their childhood, and is harmful to their physical and mental development. Poverty, lack of good schools and growth of informal economy are considered as the most important causes of child labor in India.[1][2]
The 2001 national census of India estimated the total number of child labour, aged 5–14, to be at 12.6 million.[3] Child labor problem is not unique to India; worldwide, about 215 million children work, many full time.[4]
In 2001, out of the 12.6 million, about 0.12 million children in India were in a hazardous job.[5] UNICEF estimates that India with its larger population, has the highest number of labourers in the world under 14 years of age, while sub-saharan African countries have the highest percentage of children who are deployed as child labour.[6][7][8] International Labour Organization estimates that Agriculture at 60 percent is the largest employer of child labor,[9] while United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization estimates 70 percent of child labour is deployed in agriculture and related activities.[10]
The Constitution of India guarantees free and compulsory education to children between the age of 6 to 14 and prohibits employment of children younger than 14. Nevertheless, child labour is observed in almost all informal sectors of the Indian economy.[11][12][13] Companies including Gap,[14] Primark,[15] Monsanto[16] and others have been criticised for child labour in their products. The companies claim they have strict policies against selling products made by underage kids, but there are many links in a supply chain making it difficult to police them all.[16]
Article 24 of India's constitution prohibits child labour. Additionally, various laws and the Indian Penal Code, such as the Juvenile Justice (care and protection) of Children Act-2000, and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Abolition) Act-1986 provide a basis in law to identify, prosecute and stop child labour in India
The 2001 national census of India estimated the total number of child labour, aged 5–14, to be at 12.6 million.[3] Child labor problem is not unique to India; worldwide, about 215 million children work, many full time.[4]
In 2001, out of the 12.6 million, about 0.12 million children in India were in a hazardous job.[5] UNICEF estimates that India with its larger population, has the highest number of labourers in the world under 14 years of age, while sub-saharan African countries have the highest percentage of children who are deployed as child labour.[6][7][8] International Labour Organization estimates that Agriculture at 60 percent is the largest employer of child labor,[9] while United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization estimates 70 percent of child labour is deployed in agriculture and related activities.[10]
The Constitution of India guarantees free and compulsory education to children between the age of 6 to 14 and prohibits employment of children younger than 14. Nevertheless, child labour is observed in almost all informal sectors of the Indian economy.[11][12][13] Companies including Gap,[14] Primark,[15] Monsanto[16] and others have been criticised for child labour in their products. The companies claim they have strict policies against selling products made by underage kids, but there are many links in a supply chain making it difficult to police them all.[16]
Article 24 of India's constitution prohibits child labour. Additionally, various laws and the Indian Penal Code, such as the Juvenile Justice (care and protection) of Children Act-2000, and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Abolition) Act-1986 provide a basis in law to identify, prosecute and stop child labour in India
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