Let’s Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labour!

On this World Child Labour Day, we must reflect on the progress made and renew our commitment to end child labour once and for all. Despite global efforts, child labour remains a persistent problem, particularly in developing countries like India. Recent estimates indicate there are still over 10 million child labourers in India between the ages of 5-14 ^[1].

Behind these statistics are real children robbed of their childhood and future potential. Take 13-year-old Ravi*, rescued last year from a bag factory in Chennai where he toiled 10-15 hours a day for a mere Rs 3,000 ($40) per month.

Poverty, lack of education, and inadequate social protections are the key drivers perpetuating the cycle of child labour. Traffickers exploit vulnerable families with false promises of a better life. Children end up in hazardous industries like agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and domestic service^[2]. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the situation, pushing an estimated 8.9 million additional children into child labour over the last two years^[3].

India has made progress with strong legislations like the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 and ratifying ILO Conventions 138 and 182^[4]. The number of child labourers declined from 12.7 million in 2001 to 10.1 million in 2011^[5]. However, implementation remains weak with insufficient inspections and prosecutions ^[6].

To accelerate progress, the Indian government must strengthen enforcement, address root causes, and scale up social protections. Businesses have a critical role to play by ensuring child labour-free supply chains, supporting remediation, and investing in communities. We must also empower civil society organizations that are on the frontlines identifying and rehabilitating former child labourers.

We believe ending child labour is not only a moral imperative but also makes good business sense. Companies that tolerate child labour face immense reputational risks and legal liabilities. Conversely, investing in education and community development can yield significant returns – from a more skilled workforce to stronger consumer loyalty.

We have the roadmap to end child labour. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set the ambitious target of eliminating all forms of child labour by 2025. India’s National Child Labour Project (NCLP) aims to identify and rehabilitate child labourers through special schools and skill training. The recently launched PENCIL Portal also enables citizens to report child labour incidents.

But policies and targets alone are not enough. We need concerted action from all stakeholders – government, businesses, civil society, and communities. We must address the root causes of poverty and inequality, invest in quality education and social protection, and create decent work opportunities for adults.

No child should have to sacrifice their education and dreams for survival. It’s time to turn our commitments into urgent action. Every child deserves a childhood – the chance to learn, play, and reach their full potential. Together, let’s build a world where children are in schools, not workplaces. A better future for children is a better future for us all.

*Name changed to protect identity