ILO to help Eliminate Child Labour, Forced Work in Cotton Fields

Aug. 14, 2024

What’s in Today’s Article?

What is Child Labour?

The term “child labour” is often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to their physical and mental development.
Whether or not particular forms of “work” can be called “child labour” depends on the child’s age, the type and hours of work performed and the conditions under which it is performed. This definition varies from country to country.

International Organisations w.r.t. Child Labour:

United Nations Children’s Fund:
- UNICEF, also known as the United Nations Children’s Fund, is a United Nations agency.
- Objective: To provide humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
- UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989.
- It relies entirely on voluntary contributions from governments and private donors.
- UNICEF's programs emphasize developing community-level services to promote the health and well-being of children.
- Headquarters: New York, U.S.
International Labour Organisation (ILO):
- Founded in 1919 (under the League of Nations), it is the first and oldest specialised agency of the UN.
- Objective: To advance social and economic justice through setting international labour standards.
- Unlike other UN specialized agencies, the ILO has a tripartite governing structure that brings together governments, employers, and workers of member states, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

Child Labour in India:

There are around 12.9 million children in India, engaged in work between the ages of 7 to 17 years old.
Rural India has the highest percentage of child labour, accounting to 80% of the total burden in India.
The highest number of child labourers work in Uttar Pradesh.
Apart from industrial and agricultural tasks, many are made to work as maids, baby sitters by the privileged.

Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016:

The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 amended the original Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act of 1986.
The Amendment Act provides for complete prohibition on employment or work of children below 14 years and also prohibits employment of adolescents (14-18 years) in hazardous occupations and processes.
A child is permitted to work only to help family, in family enterprise or as child artist after school hours or during vacations.
The offences under the Act have now been made compoundable and cognizable notwithstanding the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.
It provides for setting up of the Child and Adolescent Labour Rehabilitation Fund in which all the amounts of penalty have to be realised.
After strengthening the legislative framework through amendment in Child Labour Act, Government has framed the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2017.
The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2017 specifies the duties and responsibilities of State Governments and District Authorities to ensure effective enforcement of the provisions of the Act.

ILO to help Eliminate Child Labour, Forced Work in Cotton Fields:

ILO and the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry have launched a joint initiative to eliminate child labour and forced labour in India's cotton fields.
The project, titled Promoting Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW), will target 65 lakh cotton farmers across 11 states.
It aims to promote freedom of association, eliminate discrimination, and create a safe work environment.
The collaboration will provide farmers with information on government schemes, promote financial inclusion, and support education and skill development in cotton-growing communities.