Child labour is an abhorrent practice that continues to plague our world despite significant progress in human rights and social justice. It is a heart-wrenching reality that millions of children around the globe are denied their childhood, forced into arduous and exploitative work, robbing them of their right to education, health, and a hopeful future.

The root causes of child labour are deeply intertwined with poverty, lack of access to education, and inadequate legal protections for vulnerable populations. In many impoverished communities, families are left with no choice but to send their young ones to work, as they struggle to make ends meet. These children are often forced to work in hazardous conditions, exposing them to physical and emotional harm, perpetuating a cycle of poverty for generations.

One of the most concerning aspects of child labour is that it denies children the opportunity to receive an education. Education is not only a fundamental human right but also a powerful tool to break the chains of poverty. When children are deprived of education, they are robbed of their potential to contribute positively to society, hindering a nation's progress and development.

Furthermore, child labour reinforces social inequalities and contributes to the exploitation of vulnerable communities. Industries that rely on child labour often prioritize profit over the well-being of these innocent souls, perpetuating a system of oppression that has far-reaching consequences for society as a whole.

Addressing child labour requires a multi-faceted approach involving governments, corporations, civil society, and individuals. Firstly, governments must enact and enforce robust legislation to protect children from exploitation. Strengthening labor laws, improving access to quality education, and establishing effective social safety nets are crucial steps to eradicate child labour.

Corporations also bear a significant responsibility in ensuring their supply chains are free from child labour. Ethical business practices and responsible sourcing are not just moral imperatives but also essential for building trust with consumers and fostering sustainable development.

Civil society plays a vital role in raising awareness about child labour and advocating for the rights of affected children. NGOs and grassroots organizations can provide support to at-risk communities, offer alternatives to child labour, and empower families with the resources they need to break free from this vicious cycle.

As individuals, we can contribute to the fight against child labour by making conscious choices as responsible citizens of the society.  By supporting companies that prioritize fair labor practices and ethical sourcing, we can send a powerful message that child exploitation has no place in the global marketplace.

Child labour exploits children and is considered as a violation of their fundamental human rights. The consequences of child labour are far and wide affecting overall development of the children and in many cases leads to permanent psychological and physical damage. Reportedly, there are over 2.5 lakh child labourers in Kashmir only. Large scale unemployment and loss of jobs have a direct bearing on child labour as younger age groups are forced into employment. The legal tool ‘Child Labour Act’ has not proved effective so far in curbing child labour.

Child labour law does not bear fruit mostly because of children being engaged or employed in the unorganized or informal sector. Many non-hazardous family enterprises do qualify and fall under this sector, meaning that there is legitimacy provided and immunity granted to child labour in such enterprises. At the same time education is considered as potential means to fight child labour. By making education free and compulsory from 6 years to 14 years, there is still some hope left. But both the labour law and compulsory education have been failing in their implementation. While the labour department may claim of acting according to the script, the ground reality presents a different picture, particularly in the informal sector.

Children are forced into labour and they work as domestic helps, bus conductors, in motor garages and workshops, in weaving factoring and as street vendors. On one hand family compulsions which can be linked to massive unemployment and deteriorated state of economy have become inevitable factors leading to a rise in child labour and on the other hand poor implementation of laws have dampened the fight against child labour.

While institutions may need an overhaul but it is the legal framework that needs a revisit. According to estimates, children make up nearly one-third of the world's population. There is an urgent need of better legal tools and institutional commitment to thrust a positive change against child labour. Civil society can play an important role by creating awareness among the people against child labour.  Practice of child labour is still prevalent in our society and stringent efforts are needed to thwart this menace.

In conclusion, child labour is an undeniable stain on our collective conscience. It is a practice that not only deprives children of their innocence and potential but also perpetuates poverty and inequality. To build a just and equitable world, we must unite in our efforts to eradicate child labour through legislative action, responsible business practices, and support for vulnerable communities. Every child deserves the right to a childhood, to education, and to dream of a better future – and it is our duty to make this a reality.

(Author is a research scholar, freelancer and social activist)