Child Labour: Status and Policy in India
Child labour in India persists primarily due to poverty, unemployment, and socio-economic conditions forcing children to contribute to family income. Urban migration exacerbates this issue, leading to children taking up menial work. Due to insufficient government reporting, reliance is placed on various NGOs' reports. Government efforts, such as the National Child Labour Project (NCLP), have faltered due to funding deficiencies, leading to the closure of schools meant for rehabilitated child labourers. A significant issue remains the employment of children above 14 years in hazardous work, affecting their schooling and future job prospects. The author suggests incorporating trade learning and skill development to better engage children above 14 years in schooling and improve their job opportunities.
