Every year, June 12 is observed as World Day Against Child Labour, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This global campaign highlights the plight of children forced into labour and urges governments, organizations, and civil society to take action. Though Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7 aims to end child labour by 2025, the target remains distant, especially in countries with high poverty and illiteracy.
Situation of Child Labour in India
- India has a significant burden of child labour, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Telangana.
- As per the Census 2011, 43.53 lakh children aged 5 to 14 were engaged in child labour.
- Common sectors include beedi rolling, carpet weaving, and firework manufacturing.
- The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016, prohibit children below 14 from working in any occupation and adolescents (14-18 years) from hazardous jobs.
Velpur’s Success in Ending Child Labour
- Velpur Mandal in Nizamabad (Telangana) was once known for its high child labour rate.
- In June 2001, local leaders launched a campaign involving teachers, employers, and parents to send children aged 5–15 back to school.
- October 2, 2001: Velpur was declared a “Child Labour Free Mandal”.
- The transformation was made possible by:
- Active involvement of the community and sarpanches.
- Regular meetings by the National Child Labour Project (NCLP).
- Identifying dropouts and offering skill-based training to families to offset income loss.
- The campaign included public rallies, awareness meetings, and monitoring by volunteers.
- Suspicion and misinformation were countered by ensuring community transparency.
Impact and Sustainability of the Model
- 100% retention in schools in the 5 to 14-year age group was achieved.
- Children previously engaged in labour were mainstreamed into the education system.
- No new children were found in child labour post-2001.
- A child labour-free certificate was awarded to Velpur, and the model has been replicated in other mandals.
National Recognition
- In 2021, Velpur Mandal was honoured during the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations by the VVGNLI, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- A special campaign was launched to commemorate Velpur’s journey and inspire other districts.
- President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and other national leaders praised the model.
Lessons from Velpur
- The Velpur model of child labour elimination is a proven case of community-led intervention.
- Child-centred education, infrastructure development, and active government support were critical.
- Employers shifted from using child labour to supporting education through community-based solutions.
Financial Support and Data
- The estimated cost of eradicating child labour in Velpur was ₹35 lakh, funded by both the government and community stakeholders.
- Effective use of NCLP funds and convergence with welfare schemes made this achievable.
What India Can Learn
- Scaling such models across districts with high child labour incidence can make significant progress towards SDG 8.7.
- Policy efforts must prioritize grassroots mobilization, school enrolment drives, and rehabilitation support.
- India needs to ensure that post-pandemic dropouts are reintegrated into the education system through bridge courses and family support schemes.
UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Consider the following statements about child labour laws in India:
- The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act prohibits employment of children below 14 years in all occupations.
- Adolescents (14–18 years) are allowed to work in hazardous industries.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
(Explanation: Adolescents are prohibited from working in hazardous occupations.)
FAQs
Q1. What made Velpur’s campaign against child labour successful?
The campaign’s success came from collective community action, support from local government, involvement of schools, and strict monitoring.
Q2. Is child labour still prevalent in India?
Yes, despite legal prohibitions, child labour exists due to poverty, lack of access to schools, and family pressures, especially in rural and unorganised sectors.
Q3. What is the National Child Labour Project (NCLP)?
It is a scheme by the Government of India aimed at identifying and rehabilitating children in labour through education and vocational training.
