“Child Labour: The Innocence Killer”

____________________________________________________________________

Non- Doctrinal Research

SUBMITTED TO:
Post Graduate Department of Law
Sardar Patel University
Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120 – Gujarat, India 

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE DEGREE OF
LL.M. (Business Law)

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Name: JAY N. UPADHYAYA Ms. Pragnya Kansara
Roll No: 30 Assistant Professor,
Student Id: 2020014759 P. G. Department of Law,
Sardar Patel University,
Vallabh Vidyanagar
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the Non Doctrinal Research report titled “Child Labour:
The Innocence Killer”, which is being submitted by Jay N. Upadhyaya in the
partial fulfillment of the requirement for the ward of the Degree of Master of
Law (LL.M.) to P. G. Department of Law, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh
Vidyanagar is a record of the candidate’s own work carried out by him/her under
my supervision.
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the Non-Doctrinal Research entitled “Child Labour: The
Innocence Killer” is carried out by me. This piece of work has not been submitted
before or published elsewhere.

Date: 11-2-2022 Name: Jay N. Upadhyaya

Place: Vallabh Vidyanagar Roll No.:30

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I thank my Respected Guide Ms. Pragnya Kansara, Assistant Professor, P.G. Department of
Law, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar for providing me the necessary guidance in
completing this Non-Doctrinal Research and also for providing me valuable education during
the two academic years of the LL.M. Course.

Moreover, I am also grateful to all the people who have cooperated in conducting the survey by
answering the questions, whereby I could collect valuable information and data for the analysis.

I also wish to thank my family for their patience and support during the entire span of time
which I spent in completing the report.

Date: 11-02-2022 Name: Jay N. Upadhyaya

Place: Vallabh Vidyanagar

 Table of Contents
Sr. No. Particulars Pg. No.
1 Abstract 1
1.1 Introduction 2
1.2 Literature Review 3
2 Child Labour Cases 5
2.1 Child Labour Situation 5
2.2 Causes 5
3 Bonded child labour in India 7
3.1 Consequences of child labour 7
3.2 Diamond industry 8
3.3 Fireworks Industry 9
3.4 Silk Factories 9
3.5 Domestic labour 9
4 Initiatives against child labour 10
4.1 Legislation 10
4.2 NGOs 11
4.3 Constitutional Provisions 12
5 Classification of Child Labour 13
5.1 Impact of Poverty on Children 14
5.2 Child Marriage 14
6 Coercive State Population Policies on Children 16
6.1 Other Policy Measures 16
6.2 National Human Rights Commission 16
6.3 Data Collection 17
6.4 Questionnaire 17
7 Suggestions 23
8 Conclusion 24
 Abstract
The widespread of Child Labour is one of the most crucial problems confronted by the world and
particularly in the developing countries like India. Child Extortion in many cases is required by
monetary compulsions of their parents. One of the major factors that boosts Child Labour is
Unemployment and Under Employment observed between the Mature poor strata of the
population, inter alia, because of the sharp rise of population. Large families having low income
and reduced infrastructural facilities, illiteracy in the parents and their lack of awareness about
learning and influence of labour on the health of their children are some of the causes fanning the
problem of Child Labour1.

1
International Journal of Science and Research (USR), India Online ISSN: 2319-7064
Chapter – 1

1.1 Introduction

Children are the greatest gift of humanity and Childhood is an important stage of human life
cycle as it holds potential to future development of any society. Children brought up in
environment which is conductive to their intellectual, physical and social health; grow up to be a
responsible and productive member of society. Every nation’s future depends on its present
status of its children. By working during their childhood they reduce their present welfare or
their future income, earning capabilities, either by shrinking desperate measures because of the
economic conditions.

So the poorer their external future choices are the more reduction of their productive capability is
observed. Under extreme economic crisis, Children are forced to let go their educational
opportunities and commence working in most exploitative, underpaid and engaged in hazardous
conditions. Parents working predominantly as a household determine to send their children to
work at an early stage. The children are sent at work at the cost of their education which is one of
the most disconcerting aspects of child labour. Child labour has a strong effect on school
attendance rates and the length of child’s work day negatively associates with their capacity to
attend school. It restricts the children’s right to access and benefit from education and denies
them of the fundamental opportunity of attending school. Thus, Child Labour prejudices
children’s education and adversely affects their health and safety.

India has followed a proactive policy in addressing the problem of child labour and has always
stood for constitutional, statutory and developmental measures required to eliminate child labour.
The constitution of India contains relevant provisions to secure compulsory universal education
for the children. Labour Commissions and Committees have studied the problem of child labour
and made extensive recommendations. India’s Judiciary has demonstrated profoundly empathetic
responses against the practice of child labour. The problem of child labour still persists as a
challenge to the nation despite of several proactive legislations.

2
1.2 Literature Review

1.2.1 Child Labour in Different Occupations in India2.

The study by the Ministry of Labour, Government of India studies observed the Committee on
Child Labour, 1979 examined various dimensions of child labour in different occupations. In the
study it was observed that the incident of child labour was high in Andhra Pradesh, accounting
3.7% of the total population of the state in 1971. Child Labour was more prevailing in rural
areas than the urban areas. It was noted that the rate of participation of children in labour force in
the age group 10-14 was very high (28.9%) for males as compared to the females (20%).

1.2.2 Implementation of law and Welfare of child labour.3

This study by Singh R., 1980 observed that there was a colossal ignorance about the existing law
of working conditions and welfare of child labour. Only 20 were in the favour of legislation of
regulating the employment of children. A similar study was done by Sharma, 1982 revealing that
the working children are exploited and socio-economic background of child labour showed that
565 of respondents worked for 15-18 hours per day to earn their livelihood; 44% for 10-15 hours
per day. As per the payment of wages, 815 of the respondents received more than Rs.100/- per
month, was high (28.9%) for males as compared to females (20%).

1.2.3 Child Labour: Historic and Economic Phenomenon.

Study by Weiner (1990) observes that in our country’s history child labour has been seen as an
economic phenomenon. As per his study, the relationship between children and work dictates to
a great extent by the State of economic development or the system of production prevalent in the

2
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, http://labour.gov.in/content/division/work-group.php
3
By Singh R., 1980

3
country. Another survey conducted by Vemuri and Anand [1998] reveals that child labour
contributes to over 20% of GDP in India.

1.2.4 A Study on ‘Exploited Children’.

Rao’s edited work ‘Exploited Children’ [2000] analyses the dimensions of child labour in India
and the board trends and multidimensional approaches to the problem of child labour. The
magnitude, working conditions, causes and consequences are discussed at lengths about the
present position of child labour engages in different industries in different parts of countries. It
has also observed and analyzed the socio-economic characteristics of child labour, their levels of
earning, levels of living and impact on household income. In addition, various aspects of migrant
child workers are discussed and suggest strategies to eliminate the problem of child labour4.

4
Child Labour in India: Law, Policy and Program by Sunil Kumar Jangir

4
 Chapter -2

2. Child Labour Cases

2.1 Child Labour Situation

In India, the problem of child labour is well recognized as there are various estimates of the
number of working children in the country due to different concepts and methods of estimation.
The 1991 National Census estimates the rate of child labour at 11.2 million 5 [out of 210 million
children aged 5-14] out of which 9.8 million are classified as ‘main workers’6 and 2.2 is marginal
workers7.

In the 55th Round of the National Sample Survey by the National Sample Survey Organization
[NSSO] in 1999/2000 shows that there are about 10.4 million working children 8. The analysis of
the 1991 census data reveals that the population of working children is composed of 6.189
million boys and 5.095 million girls. In addition, it was found that the majority of ‘main’
workers are boys; on the other hand ‘marginal’ workers are girls. According to the 1991 census,
approx. 90% of working children live in rural areas.

Children engaged in various types of work, including those classified as ‘hazardous’ i.e. harmful
to physical, emotional or moral well-being of children. An estimated 2 million children work in
hazardous industries9. Despite the inter-state and inter-regional variations in India, the factors
that generate child labour, and hazardous child labour including parental poverty and illiteracy,
social and economic circumstances, lack of awareness, lack of access to basic and meaningful

5
Registrar General, Government of India, Census of India 1991: Working Children in India, An Analysis of the
1991 Census Data
6
https://en.wikipedia.org.
7
ncper.gov.in/showfile.php?lid-76
8
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Working Group Report on Strategy for the 10 th Plan
9
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India

5
quality education and skills, high rates of adult unemployment and under-employment, and
cultural values of family and society.

2.2 Causes

Many Indian families send their children to work and reasons generally associated with poverty,
keeping up with large-size family subsistence and inadequate public education infrastructure.
These families are generally unable to afford their children’s education. Attending school means
letting go a source of family’s income, which is a common problem, especially in low caste
minorities of India.

The situation is further aggravated by demand of child labour. As many manufacturing firms and
sweatshops strategically locate at poor areas to attract children to work as labour. An example is
the textile factory in Delhi ‘GAP’: a cloth manufacturing international brand company. Many
children were rescued in Andhra Pradesh, 2010 from an incentivized organization10.

10
https://www.laborrights.org/sites/default/files/publication-and-
resources/Child%20Labor%20in%20Cotton%20Ginning%20Report.pdf

6
 Chapter – 3

3. Bonded Child Labour in India

Bonded labour here refers to the children who are sent to work by their parents for a petty sum, a
loan or to pay off the debts. An Employer – Slave relation is formed which lasts for a long time
when the children starts working for their employers and this relationship can last for lifetime
which is for minimal or no wages. An estimate of 15 million child labourers were bonded in
2000 but till now there has not been a universally accepted number of bonded child laborer in
India.

Despite the bondage being illegal and initiatives been taken to stop bonded child labour, little has
been achieved. Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and Child Labour (Prohibition and
Regulation) Act, 1986 have helped a little the bonded child labourers. The employers use the
loopholes and ambiguity in the act to their advantage. As there was a lack of will from the
government to enforce the acts.

Despite the large number of bonded labourers are identified, very few employers got prosecuted
and fewer got convicted. During 2000-2002 around 1800 bonded labourers were identified and
released and around 17,300 bonded labourers rehabilitated according to the Ministry of Labour11.

3.1 Consequences of Child Labour

Child labor’s contribution in developing countries is substantial to such extent that it is still
under debate that whether it would harm the economy or not. India has been ranked at lowest
quarter ranking i.e. 122th in world by HDI [Human Development Index] despite of rapid
economic growth12. India is very behind when compared to developed countries in terms of per

11
https://helpchildlabour.wordpress.com/category/child-labour/
12
www.authorstream.com/Presentation/jitendraverma-1466514-child-labour

7
capita income, life expectancy, education. Children bonded or not are put apart from the
education and this large number of low-paid child labors lowers the India’s per capita income.
The hazardous working conditions lower the welfare level of India too13.

The state of Andhra Pradesh reduced the number of child labourers by 300,000 and received
simultaneously a sharp decline in the state revenue emphasizing importance of child labour to
Indian Economy. The short run of GDP growth cannot be determined only by child labour when
indicators like literacy level and health care should be taken into account too14.

Majority of Child Labour in India are employed in agricultural and rest in low-skilled labour
intensive sectors like sari weaving or domestic helpers needing neither formal education nor
training. International Labour Organization [ILO] throws limelight on the tremendous benefits of
sending children to school instead of work. As without education children will not gain
necessary skills like English Literacy, and Technical Aptitude which will increase their
productivity enabling higher skilled jobs in their future with higher wages lifting them from their
poverty.

3.2 Diamond Industry

ILO published a report in 1997 titled ‘Child Labour in the Diamond Industry’ stating how highly
prevalent child labour is in Indian Diamond Industry. It states that nearly 3% of total workforce
is child labour and the percentage of child labourers is high as 25% in diamond industry of Surat.
The ICFTU further claimed that child labour was blooming in diamond industry in the Western
India as majority of the diamonds are found, cut and polished there and only 1% of the value of
the stone they cut.

The high cost diamonds could easily be lost or broken while cutting/ polishing and employing a
child to work on diamond is equivalent of taking risk of lakhs of rupees argued by Pravin
Nanavati – A Surat based diamond businessman. The South Gujarat Diamond Workers
Association Secretary Mohan Dhabuwala also argued that child labour prevailing in diamond
industry of Surat is less than 1% according to the survey which probably is the result of severe
punishments and penalties for violating child labour laws.

In 1998, Madhura Swaminathan, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research stated that
economic growth in Western India was associated with the increase in number of child labors
13
shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/10362
14
www.gscpcr.com/.../Child_Labour_in_Rural_areas_with_special_focus

8
over the past 15 years at simple repetitive work which does not need any sort of training or
special skills and forecloses the option of education for most of the children.

In 2005, A.F. Ferguson & Co. – India based management consultancy firm commissioned study
titled ‘Child Labour’ from Gem and Jewellery Industry to spread awareness about child labour
among people connected with industry which was conducted at 663 manufacturing units at 21
different locations in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, GJEPC
initiative. The study was presented on 12 Feb. in seminar held by Gem & Jewelry Export
Promotion Council [GJEPC] and Surat Diamond Association, in Surat, India. The report showed
that child labour in diamond industry has reduced from 0.55% 143 in 1998 to 0.31% in 2005
estimating to be less than 1%. The chairman of Gem & Jewelry: Bakul Mehta mentioned that
500 diamond factory owners took oath of not employing children in their factories and to remain
committed to eradicate child labour from Indian Diamond Industry15.

3.3 Fireworks Industry

In Indian Fireworks Industry an estimate of 135,000 children are employed 16. In the town of
Sivakasi in South India is supposed to be the capital of Child Labour in Fireworks Manufacture
Sector. They mainly start working in April to prepare for the Hindu festival of Diwali, they work
daily for minimal wages, and with no firefighting gear for their safety. An estimate of 30 people
has died in two separate accidents in 2000. The Children are forced to work after their parents
accept advance cash payment of Rs.1000-5000/-.

3.4 Silk Factories

Human Rights estimated that at least 350,000 bonded children are employed by Silk Industry in
India. As per Human Rights Watch, Children of 5 years old employed for upto 12 hours a day
and 6 – 7 days a week. They are forced to dip their hands in scalding water to palpate cocoons
and often paid less than Rs. 10 per day17.

3.5 Domestic Labour

15
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_labour_in_the_diamond_industry
16
https://www.causes.com/causes/495865-stop-child-labour/updates/516834-please-stop-child-labour
17
https://www.hrw.org/reports/1996/India3.htm

9
It is estimated the approx 2,500,000 child labour is present in domestic labour and restaurants
when on the other hand the NGOs estimate the figure to be around 20 million. Government of
India expanded coverage of Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act and Banned child
workers in domestic work and restaurants from 10 October, 200618.

Chapter 4

4. Initiative against Child Labour

In 1979, the Indian Government formed the Gurupadswamy Committee to find out about child
labour and means to tackle it. The Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act were not enacted
based on recommendations of the committee in 1986. In 1987 a National Policy on Child Labour
was formulated focusing on rehabilitating children working in hazardous occupations. Specific
National Child Labour Projects are implemented around 100 industries by the Ministry of
Labour and Employment to rehabilitate the child workers since 198819.

4.1 Legislation

Initiatives towards Elimination of Child Labour – Action Plan and Present Strategy

The problem of child labour continues to pose a challenge before the country. Pro-active
measures are taken to tackle the problem however, considering magnitude and extent of problem
and it is essentially socio-economic problem inextricably linked to poverty and illiteracy and
needs concerted efforts from all sections of the society to make a dent in the problem.

The first committee called ‘Gurupadswamy Committee’, 1979 to study the issue of child labour
and to suggest measures to tackle it. It was observed that as long as poverty continues, it would
be difficult to totally eliminated child labour and any attempt to resolve this via legal recourse
would not be practical proposition. The Committee felt that in the circumstances, the only
alternative left was to ban child labour in hazardous areas and to regulate and ameliorate the
conditions of work in other areas.

18
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_labour_in_India
19
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, http://labour.gov.in/content/dividion/work-
group.php

10
Based on the Gurupadaswamy Committee’s recommendations, the Child Labout (Prohibition &
Regulation) Act in 1986. The Act prohibits employment of children in certain specified
hazardous occupations and processes and regulated the working conditions in others. The list of
hazardous occupations and processes is progressively expanded on Child Labour Technical
Advisory Committee constituted under the Act.

National Policy on Child Labour’s (1987) policy aims for a gradual and sequential approach with
focus on rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and processes in first
instance. The Action Plan outlined in Policy for tackling this problem is:-

Legislative Action Plan: Child Labour Act and Other Labour Laws ensures that children are not
employed in hazardous employments and the working conditions of children working in non-
hazardous areas are regulated in accordance with the provisions of Child Labour Act.

Focusing of General Developmental Programmes for Benefiting Child Labour: as poverty is the
root cause of child labour and action plan focuses on the need to cover these children and their
families also under various poverty alleviation and employment generation schemes of
Government.

Project Based Plan of Action: Started projects in areas of high concentration of Child Labour in
1988 the National Child Labour Project Scheme (NCLP) was launched in 9 districts of high child
labour endemicity in the country. The Scheme envisages running of special schools for child
labour withdrawn from work. In special schools, children are provided formal/non-formal
education along with vocational training, a stipend of Rs.100 per month, supplementary nutrition
and regular health checkups are provided and are prepared to join regular mainstream schools.
Funds are given to District Collectors for running special schools for child labour and most of
these schools are run by NGOs in district.

State Government have been conducting regular inspections and raids to detect cases of
violations. Poverty is root cause of the problem and enforcement alone cannot help solve it
Government has been laying a lot of emphasis on rehabilitation of these children and on
improving economic conditions of their families20.

4.2 Non – Governmental Organizations

20
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, http://labour.gov.in/content/division/workgroup.php

11
NGOs like CARE India, Child Rights and You, Global march against child labour etc. are
working to eradicate child labour in India. In 2005, Pratham- Indian NGO participated in one of
the biggest rescue operations when around 500 child labors were recsued form Zari Sweatshops
in North East Delhi.

4.3 Constitutional Provisions

Constitution of a country is base of law of respective country and if there is no constitutional

liability no law will be enforced or implemented. Indian Constitution has provisions for children
and general public user:

1. Article – 15: The citizens of India have right to equality vide and provides certain rules and
law for child in respect of others and the same responsibility is put on head of state by
constitution. If any state makes any extra ordinary provisions for upliftment or protection of
child than it is not a violation of Article 15.

2. Article – 21: Each individual has the right to live with his/her own dignity and without any
lawful reason and procedure nobody can harm to any person’s life.

3. Article – 21 – A: Give free and compulsory education to children between age of 6 to 14

years is responsibility of state.

4. Article – 23: Prohibition of bonded labours.

5. Article – 24: Nobody can keep any children between the age of 5 to 14 years on work in
hazardous work places like factory, mines, firework factory etc.

12
 Chapter : 5

5. Classification of Child Labour

The Classification of Child Labour are discussed as under:-

1. Very bad type of Child Labour:

 Selling of Child
 Unlawful trafficking of Child
 Usages of Children for labour by force (without consent)
 Commercial exploitation like pornography, Narcotic business, Drug Business etc.

2. Prohibited Child Labour:

Places like factory, mines and ships are prohibited for children to work at. In order to fight
against exploitation of child some legal provisions are made as under:

a) The Factory Act, 1948: A Child below 14 years of age is not allowed to work in any
Factory and any hazardous place. If any factory or company is found to employ a child
will be punished by prison minimum 3 months to maximum 1 year and fine of Rs.
10000/- to Rs. 20000/-
b) The Mine Act, 1952: Any child below 18 years of age is not allowed to work in any
mine. The punishment under this act is prison for 3 months to 1 year and fine of Rs.
10000/- to Rs. 20000/-
c) The Motor Workers Act, 1961: Any child cannot be forced to work in business of
transformation or cannot be allowed to work with transportation business. The
punishment is prison for 3 months to 1 year and fine upto Rs. 20000/-

13
 d) The Apprentice Act, 1961: Any child cannot register himself any business by himself if
he/she does not attain age of 14 years. Punishment is both prison and fine.
e) Child labour (Prohibition and Control) Act, 1986: A child not attained 14 years of age
cannot be working at any hazardous place. The punishment will be 3 months to 1 year
and fine will be Rs. 10000/- to Rs. 20000/-
f) The Bombay Shops and Establishment Act, 1948: Children below 14 years of age cannot
work at any shop and establishment. The punishment if done so would be Rs.25/- to Rs.
250/-

5.1 Impact of Poverty on Children

Poverty has an adverse effect on the health and nutrition status of children. Inadequate and
irregular earnings affect quantity and quality of food a family consumes throughout the year, its
standard of living, and access and use of healthcare. The quantum of poverty varies from state to
state. The Planning Commission acquired the number and percentage of population below
poverty line in States shows that in 1999 – 2000, among the bigger states, Orissa had the largest
percentage of population below the poverty line (47.15), Bihar (42.60). Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
had 96 million people below poverty line together or 37% of country’s poor. Bihar has 38
undivided districts and has the largest number in list of 100 most backward and poorest districts
in 45 country identified in 1997 after Madhya Pradesh with 19 Undivided districts and Uttar
Pradesh with 17 undivided districts 21. The central concern of Indian Planners is removal of
poverty and its reduction is a key indicator of success in implementation of policies and
programmes, including those relating to children. There has been a decline in number of people
living below poverty line and yet it need most attention of the Government. Family living below
the poverty line is bound to impact on survival and development of child22.

5.2 Child Marriage

The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 (CMRA) prescribes a minimum age of 21 years for
males and 18 years for females. This law prevent the solemnization of child marriage but fails
address the situation of child who is married off before the law could prevent it. It does little to
protect children who have been married off, sometime even before they can stand on their feet.

21
Bose, 2003 : 36 - 36
22
http://www.researchfront.in/12%20Special%20Issue%203/3.pdf

14
Efforts to amend CMRA are being made for almost 4 years, yet there is no consensus on the
issues on which amendments are required.

Act:

The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act enacted in 1986 to specifically address
situation of child labour. This law is inadequate in understanding and framework that it provides
for dealing with the problem of child labour. Distinguishing between hazardous and
nonhazardous forms of labour and identifying certain processes and occupations from which
children are prohibited to work at limiting their range of activities where they are abused and
exploited. Large scale exploitation happens in domestic work and hotels are cases in point. On
August 1, 2006 Ministry of Labour added following occupations to list of hazardous
occupations: Domestic Servants, Workers in dhabas, Restaurants, Hotels, Motels, Tea Shops,
Resorts, Spas, or other recreational centers, which came into effect on October 10, 2006. Bonded
child labour including slavery, prostitution, drug trafficking, etc are other grey areas which need
priority attention. The ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, currently
being examined by Government of India from point of view of its ratification, also seeks
immediate elimination of these types of child labour.

15
 Chapter : 6

6. Coercive State Population Policies on Children

The coercive laws are based on the State Population Policies can have negative impact on
children. As adults are not allowed to stand for election if they are found to have more than two
children whereas some choose to give away their ‘excess’ children via adoption or disown them.
The withdrawal of facilities is bound to have impact on status and value that the girl child in
family, which lead to gender discrimination and continuation of female feticide.

6.1 Other Policy Measures

National Policy for Children, 1974 was adopted declaring children as the nation’s most
precocious assets. After this, a gradual shift was noticed in approach toward children from need-
based to rights based. Yet a change is needed in the policy as it mainly remains ‘Welfare’
oriented and could be carried out by only a revised National Policy for Children.

6.2 National Human Rights Commission

The NHRC has an area of ‘Rights of Children’ focusing specifically on children’s rights in
October, 1993. Despite of the existence of many different laws and policy, the children are found
to be vulnerable and their dignity and human rights were often trampled. First few months of the
Commission were spent on making an overall assessment about range of issues that affected
children. After this the Commission focused on preventing and eradicating the problems of child
labour, child marriage, child trafficking and prostitution, child sexual violence, female feticide
and infanticide, child rape, child rape, HIV/AIDS in children and the problem of juveniles.

Special efforts were made to provide suitable remedies by studying plight of children employed
in the glass work and carpet making industries of Uttar Pradesh, the beedi, match-making and

16
fireworks industries in Tamil Nadu and slate-pencil making industry in Madhya Pradesh.
Particular attention was paid to glass work industry in the district of Ferozabad, Uttar Pradesh
having 50000 children were reportedly working. A programme was developed by Central
Ministries, the Government of Uttar Pradesh, non-governmental organization and other
stakeholders having three inter-related concepts: income-support for families whose children are
working, schooling including facilities, and rigorous implementation of Child Labour
(Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. On the other hand, the Commission consistently took a
supplementary approach different from the Government23.

6.3 Data Collection

Data for this project was collected by visiting some people and also visits with child laborer
residing in Ahmedabad City, Gujarat. A questionnaire was prepared consisting of 15 questions
which were distributed among 50 persons on the basis of which the given data was collected and
further interpreted.

6.4 Questionnaire

The questions asked during the field study and responses ranged from Yes, No, or No Comments
are provided below:-

Q1. Do you know about child labour?

Graph: 1

60 47
40
20
0 3 0

Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Q2 Do you think child labour is good for society?

Graph: 2

23
nhrc.nic.in/Documents/Publications/ChildrenRights.pdf

17
 50 35
15
0
0
Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Q3. Do you believe in child labour?

Graph: 3

40 35

20 15
0
0
Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Q4. Do you take work through child labour?

Graph: 4

30
20 20
20
10 10
0

Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Q5. Do you know about the family background of child labour?

Graph: 5

18
 40 30
20
20
0
0
Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Q6. Have you ever thought about the study of child labour?

Graph: 6

40 35

20 15
0
0
Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Q7. Do you think that government should take any proper step for child labour?

Graph: 7

30
20 20
20
10 10
0

Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Q8. Do you know any legal provision/ Act for the children?

Graph: 8

19
 40 35

20 10
5
0
Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Q9. Do you know different types of child laborer working in the society?

Graph: 9

30 25
20 15
10 10
0

YesNoNo Comments

No. of Responses

Q10. Do you think people should take the step to reduce the ration of child labour?

Graph: 10

40 35

20 10
5
0
Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Q11. Do you ever saved any child from hazardous place?

Graph: 11

20
 60
40
40
20
0 5 5

YesNoNo Comments

No. of Responses

Q12. Do you know where to made complaint in case of found child labour at a hazardous
place?

Graph: 12

40 30

20 10 10

0
Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Q13. Do you have ever made any complaint, anywhere with regard to child labour?

Graph: 13

60 50
40
20
0 10
0

YesNo No Comments

No. of Responses

Q14. Do you know that taken work below the age of 14 years child is an offence?

Graph: 14

21
 40 35

20 10
5
0
Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Q15. Do you know about child trafficking?

Graph: 15

30
20 20
20
10 10
0

Yes No No Comments

No. of Responses

Children of age group 10-13 years were visited who were working in different types of business
for acquiring information. Names of children visited are provided below:

 Amit
 Gautam
 Yatin
 Nirav
 Dhaval
 Varun Mayur
 Hitesh
 Kiran
 Sandip

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All the children whose names are mentioned above were found to be working in dhabas and
small shops on the footpath on S.G. Highway, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The children were not
educated and were found to be interested in study but lacked in financial liability to do so and are
working at this age. Some children are found to be working for an entire day with minor rewards
provided of Rs. 50 per day. These rewards are less than the minimum wages fixed by the
government. These children who have the will to study were exploited by such businessmen as
they could not get out of the situation because of their financial and social problems.

Chapter : 7

7. Suggestions

 Some suggestions to reduce child labour are mentioned below:

 By educating everyone about child labour
 Forming a Committee of people aware of harm done to the child labors
 Using media to spread awareness about child laborers
 Government organization organize campaigns to sensitize public about this
 Training and Public Awareness programmes to be arranged
 Increase in the number of juvenile jail cells across the country
 Providing Special Training in the Slum Areas
 People should come forward and take action against child labour
 Organizations/NGOs raising awareness and increase effectiveness of legal framework by
providing channel for victims opening a gate to directly complaint about their situations
and exploitation

However, the task is still half done as the campaigns are to be taken to the next level i.e.
Working and Advocating for effective implementation of the law via public awareness,
sensitization and trainings and ensuring mechanisms mentioned in law exist in reality and are
accessible to everyone.

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 Chapter: 8

8. Conclusion

From the study conducted and laws reviewed during the course of this project including other
aspects like Constitutional Provision, NGOs Practices, Human Rights Commission for child
labour etc. It is clear that most of children were entered in labour jobs because of their family
poorness and need for money. 20% children were entered in this business by force wither by
their parents or by other unsocial human being for their objective. My recent view of the ‘Traffic
Signal’ which shows smugglers using children for their own objective like gaining money,
getting power. They kidnap children from flow slum areas of major cities and train them for
theft, smuggling, selling narcotics, bagging etc.

It is difficult to change the current status but not impossible to improve condition of children all
parents has to take initiatives and also state government has to implement some certain steps to
stop such child exploitation by taking some strict steps and making rules.

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