Question

Article on evels of child labour

Answer 1

Not all children in India are lucky to enjoy their childhood. Many of them are forced to work under inhuman conditions where their miseries know no end.  Though there are laws banning child labour, still children continue to be exploited as cheap labour. It is because the authorities are unable to implement the laws meant to protect children from being engaged as labourers.
Unfortunately, the actual number of child labourers in India goes un-detected. Children are forced to work is completely unregulated condition without adequate food, proper wages, and rest. They are subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
Causes of Child Labour: Factors such as poverty, lack of social security, the increasing gap between the rich and the poor have adversely affected children more than any other group. We have failed to provide universal education, which results in children dropping out of school and entering the labour force.
Loss of jobs of parents in a slowdown, farmers’ suicide, armed conflicts and high costs of healthcare are other factors contributing to child labour.
A widespread problem: Due to high poverty and poor schooling opportunities, child labour is quite prevalent in India. Child labour is found in rural as well as urban areas. The 2001 census found an increase in the number of child labourers from 11.28 million in 1991 to 12.59 million.
Children comprise 40% of the labour in the precious stone cutting sector. They are also employed in other industries such as mining, zari and embroidery, dhabas, tea stalls and restaurants and in homes as domestic labour.
Conclusion: Government authorities and civil society organizations need to work in tandem to free children engaged in labour under abysmal conditions. They need to be rescued from exploitative working conditions and supported with adequate education. Above all, there is a need to mobilize public opinion with an aim to bring about an effective policy initiative to abolish child labour in all its forms.

Answer 2

Answer:

Child Labour

In spite of the ban on child labour, children are being exploited through child labour. According to estimates there are as many as 18 million child labourers in the country. They are being exploited both in the industrial and agricultural sectors. They can be found working in hazardous conditions and exposed to harmful chemicals, toxic pesticides or fertilizers and dangerous machinery tools. They are compelled to carry heavy loads in construction sites.

Disadvantages:

Hazardous working environment put children at risk of injury and death. They may contract diseases leading to lifelong disability or death. Due to malnutrition and exhaustion they suffer from different physical health problems. The long-term health problems include both mental and psychological harm. Child labourers suffer mentally and physically. It prevents them from getting basic school education. It affects their mental well-being and physical development.

India is becoming a highly developed country and the presence of child labour is a great shame. It is a curse and a lost to the country. Children are the future of our country. We need to educate them. Give them good health care. Only then will they grow up to be of great assets to the nation.

Preventive measures:

National laws on child labour must be reviewed and implemented in letter and in spirit.

Employers must check the age of their employees and held accountable for employing underaged children.

Basic and primary education must be given free to the children of families living in poverty.

The workplaces must be assessed to identify risky and dangerous conditions.

The public in general must stop hiring child domestic helpers which is illegal.

Let us stand up as one and stop child labour in our beloved nation.