Child Labour And The Act

What is Child Labour?

Any work that interferes with the child’s right to education, leisure and /or is harmful to the child’s health and/ or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development is ‘child labour’.

Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986

The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986 has legalized child labour in so called non-hazardous activities and in family based units. In MVF’s perception there can be no distinction drawn between hazardous and non hazardous occupations as any work that denies the child the right to participate in school is damaging to the their growth and a violation of their Fundamental Rights under the Constitution of India..
In harmony with the above view MVFoundation along with a network of NGO’s advocated for an amendment to the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act, 1986 with the government, parliamentarians, officials and corporate sector.

Challenges

1. Absence of a State commitment to abolish child labour in all its forms and a social norm that expresses shock and outrage against employment of children.
2. Combating the argument that ‘poverty is the cause of child labour’ and replacing it with the principle that children have a right to education and there can be no excuse for child labour.
3. Pressing the government to make adequate investments to implement the ‘Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act’2009
4. Lack of quality of education in schools
5. Getting the schools and the education system as a whole to be sensitive to the first generation learners and enable them complete education without any disruption.
6. Special attention to dalits, girls, tribal children, minorities and the physically and mentally challenged children.