Facing the Global Crisis: The Sad Reality of Child Labor

Child labor remains a significant problem in India. Despite numerous laws and policies intended to prevent it, child labor is still a serious issue in India. There are an estimated 10.1 million child laborer’s in India, according to the most recent census data. Some estimates also indicate that the actual number may be significantly higher.

According to Census 2011 data, there are 10.1 million child laborer’s in India, 5.6 million of them are boys and 4.5 million of whom are girls. Globally, it is estimated that 152 million children, or nearly one in ten of all children, work as youngsters, including 64 million girls and 88 million boys.

The statistic report of 2017 explains that India is one of the leading countries in Asia as it has 33 million children employed in child labor, that’s why it is a significant problem in India.

Causes of child labor.

India’s problem with child labor is complicated and has several root reasons. Some of the major reasons for frequency of child labor in India is mentioned below:

• A significant contributor to the frequency of child labor in India is poverty. Many poor families are unable to pay for their children’s education. They rely on their children’s earnings to make ends meet.

• Lack of education: Another cause of India’s high rate of child labor is a lack of education. Youngsters who don’t go to school are doing jobs that pay little and are abusive.
• Factors of a cultural nature: Several cultural aspects play a role in the incidence of child labor in India. For instance, it is compulsory for youngsters to work alongside their parents in agricultural fields or as domestic assistance in some rural communities.

Needs and Consequences of Child Labor

• Need for inexpensive labour: In many Indian businesses, there is a need for inexpensive labour, which motivates firms to hire minors because they can be paid less than adult workers.

• Despite the fact that child labor is prohibited by law in India, enforcement is sometimes lax and offenders are rarely held accountable. The lack of enforcement, makes it simple for employers to exploit the child as a cheap labor..

•  Consequences of child labor: Children are more vulnerable to occupational dangers and accidents than adults. Children’s life is affected by such injuries. The children suffers socially and financially . Cuts, burns, lacerations, fractures, and dizziness are all common general injuries.
• The bad results of child labor also include rape, prostitution, drug usage, drunkenness, sexual exploitation of females, STDs, and HIV/AIDS.

• These children are neglected in terms of food, clothes, housing, and medical care, . The children become unable to attend school due to such negligence.