Child labor refers to the employment of children in work. The law prohibits child labor under various acts, but the problem persists. It is an issue to be dealt with at the earliest because it ruins the life of a generation and makes them unskilled. Without education, they can’t achieve anything. The government and other organizations contribute a lot to making the children free from work and closer to education. But, still expected success was not achieved. There are many reasons behind it. Any issue can be effectively addressed if the causes are effectively dealt with. Likewise, child labor can be curbed better if the reasons are effectively resolved.
Reasons for the Child Labor
There are many reasons behind child labor. Here are some of the important reasons:
Poverty
It is the primary cause that drives the children to work. If the people are poor, they can’t afford food with a limited or low income. In such cases, they employ their children to get payment for the family. Poverty is not merely a state of low income but much more. People should try to improve their income; if they do, this frees them from poverty.
Lack of Awareness
There was no awareness among the people regarding child labor. People in rural areas need to be educated about child labor’s harmful effects and the importance of education to children.
Lack of sufficient Education facilities
If proper education was not available to people, they might not show interest in the education and send their children to work.
Lack of strict monitoring
There are many laws in the country, but the problem is with the implementation. Even though specific measures are initiated to monitor the act’s functioning, proper attention is not paid.
Measures to curb the Child Labor
If you were to curb child labor, there were only two options:
- The employer should stop offering employment
- The child should be prevented from being employed
Strict implementation of laws could prevent employers from employing children.
There are many punishments and penalties for an employer who employs children under 14 years of age to work, but there is no strict supervision against this. A special team that should conduct sudden and random checks at the shops and probable locations for child labor must be created for this purpose. Severe penalties are to be imposed on the employers. A clear warning is to be conveyed to the employer, which would work out. I am sure that this process will significantly help in reducing child labor.
Prevent the child from being employed
Now, step into the shoes of the child’s parents and understand the situation that led them to send their child to work. Do not provide them with food but offer them a livelihood to earn food. Improve their standard of living and eradicate poverty from India. Educate the people about the importance of education and offer students sufficient infrastructure and education facilities. Strengthen the schemes like midday meals to eliminate child labor.
Thus, we see India as a country with 100% literacy and 0% child labor. Move your little steps and remove child labor from every part of the nation.
