Child labour –an ugly face of our society

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According to NCEUS, 2007, “Out of school children comprise the workers and non workers. In our view they together signify a measure of deprivation among children and can be considered as a potential labour pool always being at the risk of entering the labour force”
Unfortunately, India is said to be the home of the largest number of child laborers in the world. It was found through census that there has been an increase in the number of child labourers from 11.28 million in 1991 to 12.59 million in 2001.
M.V. Foundation in Andhra Pradesh found nearly 400,000 children, mostly girls between the age group of 7-14 years striving for 14-16 hours a day in cottonseed production across the country of which 90% are employed in Andhra Pradesh. In India 40% of the labour involved in a precious stone cutting sector is of children. Many NGOs have discovered that a large number of child labourers are employed in mining industry in spite of a harsh forbid on the same. In urban areas also there is a high employment of children in the zari and embroidery industry.
The main causes of child labour are poverty and deficiency in social security. The major reasons of lack of employment opportunities and basic needs are:
 The ever-increasing gap between the rich and the poor,
 privatization of basic services and
 the neo-liberal fiscal policies
All the above mentioned reasons adversely affect children’s growth. Entry of multi-national corporations into industry without appropriate systems to hold them liable has lead to the utilization of child in labour works. Deficiency of quality and universal education has contributed to the enhanced dropout rate in schools and enhancing child labour force. The foremost concern is that the actual numbers of child labourers are never detected. To add to the trouble unfortunately the meant to protect children from hazardous labour have been proven unproductive and not implemented acceptably.
Now the question arises how can I contribute?
• ‘BE’ a conscientious citizen and ensure you do not provide work opportunities for child labour.
• ‘ACT’ as a responsible citizen and ensure that your acquaintance and society in general does not employ child labour.
• ‘EDUCATE’ and generate consciousness amongst people employing child labourers and the parents sending their children to work.
• Further, ‘REPORT’ whenever see cases of child labour at the earliest.
Children are the symbol of virtue and clarity. Our heart should thaw in tears when we see them sleeping on the street with a hungry. We the youth raise our voice. Make this world a better place for the upcoming generation.