“Child” as defined by the child labour (prohibition and regulation) Act 1986 is a person who has not completed the age of 14 years .As a layman we can understand that Child labour is the practice of having children engage in economic activity, on a part or full time basis. Every child is considered as a gift of god, it must be nurtured with care and affection with in the family and society. But unfortunately due to the socio economic problems children were forced to work in industries, leather factories, hotels and eatery. The child labour is not an isolated phenomenon it is coupled with socio economic problem of the society so in order to eliminate child labour first we should focus on socio economic issues of the society. It is in the hands of administrative .It should bring effective measures to eliminate child labour.
Causes of Child Labour:
Poverty
Poverty is one of the main causes of child labour. In developing countries poverty is one of the major drawback and the children were considered as helping hand to feed their families, to support their families and to support themselves .Due to poverty, illiteracy and unemployment parents are unable to send them to schools, instead the children were asked to help them in running a family so that the poor parents send their children for work in inhuman conditions at lower wages.
Rights of Children Under International Law:
Universal declaration of human rights 1948 – stipulates under article 25 para 2 that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance. The above principles along with other principles of universal declaration concerning child were incorporated in the declaration of the rights of the child of 1959.
International covenant on civil and political rights under articles 23 and 24 and international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights – under article 10 made provision for the care of the child .
International labour organisation (ILO) – provides universal standards and guideline, a specialized agency of UN ,aims to provide guidance and standards for labour practices around the world .
Convention on the rights of the child, 1989 It is another international instrument which protects the child.
