Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act(1986)
- Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (1986) to prohibit the engagement of children in certain employments and to regulate the conditions of work of children in certain other employments
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 :
- The Amendment Act completely prohibits the employment of children below 14 years.
- The amendment also prohibits the employment of adolescents in the age group of 14 to 18 years in hazardous occupations and processes and regulates their working conditions where they are not prohibited.
On World Day Against Child Labour (June 12) in 2017, India ratified two core conventions of the International Labour Organization on child labour.
National Policy on Child Labour (1987)
- National Policy on Child Labour (1987), with a focus more on rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and processes, rather than on prevention.
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000
- Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 and amendment of the JJ Act in 2006: includes the working child in the category of children in need of care and protection, without any limitation of age or type of occupation.
- Section 23 (cruelty to Juvenile) and Section 26 (exploitation of juvenile employee) specifically deal with child labour under children in need of care and protection.
Pencil:
- The government has launched a dedicated platform viz. pencil.gov.in to ensure effective enforcement of child labour laws and end child labour.
The Right to Education Act 2009
- The Right to Education Act 2009 has made it mandatory for the state to ensure that all children aged six to 14 years are in school and receive free education.
- Along with Article 21A of the Constitution of India recognizing education as a fundamental right, this constitutes a timely opportunity to use education to combat child labour in India.
- Amendments made to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act prescribes severe punishment for people found guilty of retaining bonded labour.
- The amendment stipulates rigorous imprisonment for those who force children to beg, handle or carry human waste and animal carcasses.
The draft National Policy for Domestic Workers
- The draft National Policy for Domestic Workers, when goes into force, will ensure minimum Rs.9,000 salary for household helpers.
- Every police station in the country has a separate cell for juvenile, women and child protection.
Role of NGO’s
- Many NGOs like Bachpan Bachao Andolan, CARE India, Child Rights and You, Global march against child labour, RIDE India, Child line etc. have been working to eradicate child labour in India.