Zero Tolerance Towards Use of Children in Poll Campaigns

Context- The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently stated it issued directions to political parties to refrain from using children in election campaigns.

Child Labour

• About

• • • According to the ILO, child labour includes any work that deprives children of their early life, ability and dignity, physical or mental improvement.
    • It perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty (because of terrible education-health, much less economic opportunities), denying children their essential rights and a higher future.

• Constitutional provision in India

• • • Article 24 of the Constitution of India prohibits employment of children under the age of 14 years in any factory or mine or in any hazardous employment.

• Prevalence of child labour in India

• • • According to the International Labour Organization, India has the very best wide variety of child laborers within the 5-17 age range in South Asia.
    • In rural regions, thirteen.Nine% of children are worried about child exertions, as compared to 4.7% in urban areas.
    • 70% of child employees are in agriculture, 20% in services, and 10% in industry.
    • As in line with census 2011, 10. 1 million children, or 3.Nine% of the full child populace, are “most important workers” or “marginal people”.

• Reasons behind Child labour in India

• • Poverty and absence of social security are the main causes of child labour.
  • Entry of multi-national organizations into industry with out proper mechanisms to keep them responsible has caused using child labour.
  • Lack of excellent common schooling has additionally contributed to children dropping out of school and getting into the labour force.
  • Laws which can be meant to shield children from hazardous labour are ineffective and no longer applied correctly.
  • A developing phenomenon is using children as domestic employees in urban areas.
  • Rigid caste shape and related socio-economic circumstance is likewise one of the motives for this.
  • According to many surveys, labour is highest among scheduled tribes, Muslims, scheduled castes and OBC children.

• India’s dedication to cast off child labour

• • India resolves to eliminate child labour by means of 2025 as according to –
  • The commitments made by the county after ratification of ILO conventions, and
  • The goal stipulated in Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 to give up all forms of child labour.

Steps taken by Govt of India to get rid of child labour

• The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and its 2016 amendment

• • • The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, prevents children from participating in positive employments and regulates the conditions of labor for children in different fields.
    • In 2016, a modification absolutely banned the employment of children under 14 years.
    • It also prohibits employment of adolescents (14-18 years) in risky occupations and processes.

• Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2017

• • • Government has framed the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2017.
    • This rule specifies the obligations and responsibilities of State Governments and District Authorities.

• PENCIL (Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour) platform

• • • To ensure powerful enforcement of the provisions of the Child Labour Act and easy implementation of the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme a separate on line portal PENCIL has been evolved.
    • Government had initiated the NCLP Scheme in 1988 to rehabilitate working children in 12 child labour endemic districts of the united states.
    • Under this Scheme, the children in the age organization of nine-14 years are withdrawn from work and positioned into NCLP Special education Centres.
    • Here they’re provided with bridge schooling, vocational education, mid-day meal, stipend, health care and many others. Before being mainstreamed into formal education gadget.
    • The Portal connects the Central Government to State Government(s), District(s) and all District Project Societies.

• The Factories Act of 1948

• • • This act prohibits the employment of children under 14 years old in factories.

• Right to Education

• • The Right to Education Act was passed in 2009 to ensure that each one children get schooling in place of working.
  • There are several schools set up that impart loose education to such children and additionally offer schools such as textbooks, uniforms, and others at no cost.
  • Ratification of two center conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on child labour
  • In 2017, India ratified two center conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on child labour:
    • Convention 138: On the minimum age of employment
    • Convention 182: On the worst sorts of child labour

Source: Indian Express

Download as PDF