HINDUSTANI KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA

ENGLISH INVESTIGATORY REPORT

TOPIC : Problems of child labour and existing

laws in India

SESSION : 2024-2025

Submitted by : Guided by:

Raktim Saikia

Roll no :

Registration no:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT :

I express my gratitude towards my guide Ms. For her extended

guidance and support for completion of this project.

I would give my special thanks to the Principal of Hindustani Kendriya

Vidyalaya , Tezpur for his great support by motivating and encouraging in every

endeavour of ours.

I want to thanks my friends for their contribution and co-operation.

A special thanks to CBSE for scheme of project introduction to make students

discover their inbuilt abilities.

Last but not least I would like to thank my parents for their love and support.

Roll No:

Registration no :
CERTIFICATE :

This is to certify that the English project titled “Problems of Child Labour

and Exisiting Laws in India ” has been successfully completed by Roll

no. Registration no. of class XII in

the partial fulfillment of curriculum of Central Board of Secondary

Education (CBSE) in the year 2024-2025.

The project is genuine and does not indulge in plagiarism of any kind

Signature of the Guide Signature of

Principal

Signature of external
S No. CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. The historical context of child labour in

India
3. Problems associated with child labour

4. Reason for child labour in India

5. Existing laws against child labour in

Inida
6. Analysis of the effectiveness of existing
laws
7. Recommendation for improvement

8. Conclusion

9. Bibliography
1. Introduction
 Definition of Child Labour

Child labour refers to the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives
them of their childhood, potential, and dignity. This work is often harmful to their physical
and mental development and interferes with their education.

 Importance of the Study

Child labour remains a persistent problem worldwide, and India is one of the countries where
the issue is prevalent. Understanding the extent of child labour and the effectiveness of laws
to curb it is critical to formulating strategies that can ensure better protection for children
2. Historical Context of Child Labour in India
 Origin of Child Labour in India

Child labour has been a part of India's socio-economic fabric for centuries, largely due to
poverty, illiteracy, and economic inequality. With industrialization and urbanization, children
have often been employed in factories, mines, agriculture, and domestic work, particularly in
rural areas.

 Evolution of Child Labour in India

While child labour has been widespread, it has garnered increasing attention over the past
few decades, especially due to growing advocacy by NGOs, global organizations, and media.
The country’s economic growth, combined with a lack of universal access to education, has
made it difficult to eliminate child labour completely.
3. Problems Associated with Child Labour
 Impact on Physical Health

Children involved in hazardous work are vulnerable to injuries, exhaustion, malnutrition, and
diseases due to their weakened immune systems. The physical strain on growing bodies can
lead to long-term health problems.

 Impact on Mental Health

The trauma of child labour can lead to psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mental stress associated with long working hours
and abuse often results in a lack of emotional and cognitive development.

 Educational Setbacks

Child labour deprives children of the opportunity to attend school, which perpetuates the
cycle of poverty and limits future opportunities. The lack of education restricts their ability to
escape the vicious cycle of exploitation.

 Social and Psychological Impacts

Child labour can prevent children from developing social skills, engaging in play, and
interacting with peers. It isolates them from society and often reinforces the belief that
children are only valuable for work, not for learning.

 Economic Impacts

While child labour may provide immediate financial benefits to impoverished families, it
limits long-term productivity and economic growth. Children involved in the workforce tend
to be unskilled, leading to low wages and poor quality of work.
4. Reasons for Child Labour in India
 Poverty and Economic Conditions

The most significant driver of child labour in India is poverty. Families struggling to make
ends meet often rely on the income generated by their children, especially in rural areas
where access to education and alternative sources of income is limited.

 Lack of Awareness

Many families, particularly in rural areas, are unaware of the harmful effects of child labour.
In some cases, children are expected to work to support the family, and parents are unaware
of the laws and regulations protecting children.

 Family Pressures

In a patriarchal society, children, particularly in disadvantaged communities, are often seen as

a source of income, leading to a continuation of child labour practices across generations.

 Insufficient Enforcement of Laws

Despite the existence of legal frameworks, the enforcement of child labour laws remains
weak. Corruption, lack of resources, and inadequate monitoring systems contribute to the
persistence of child labour.

 Cultural Factors

Cultural acceptance of child labour in certain communities, along with inadequate social
support systems, makes it difficult to change attitudes toward child employment.
5. Existing Laws Against Child Labour in India
 The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986

This act prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14 in hazardous industries, but
it allows for their employment in non-hazardous work under specific conditions. The law has
been criticized for not covering all forms of child labour comprehensively.

 The Right to Education Act, 2009

The Right to Education Act ensures that every child in India has the right to free and
compulsory education between the ages of 6 and 14, which indirectly seeks to eliminate child
labour by mandating school attendance.

 The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children)

Act, 2015

This act addresses the rehabilitation and care of children who are found to be in situations of
exploitation, including child labour. It sets up child welfare committees and provides for the
rehabilitation of children engaged in child labour.

 The National Policy on Child Labour, 1987

This policy advocates for a gradual elimination of child labour by providing a framework for
the rehabilitation of child labourers and the provision of educational opportunities for them.

 The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and

Regulation) Act, 2016

This updated law prohibits the employment of children below 14 years in any occupation and
regulates the employment of adolescents (14 to 18 years) in non-hazardous work.

 Role of NGOs and Other Agencies

Several NGOs like Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), Save the Children, and others have
worked extensively in raising awareness and rescuing children from hazardous working
conditions. International organizations such as the ILO also play a vital role in advocacy.
6. Analysis of the Effectiveness of Existing
Laws
 Challenges in Enforcement

Despite the existence of laws, enforcement is hindered by a lack of awareness, insufficient

training for law enforcement agencies, and corruption. Many instances of child labour occur
in informal sectors, where it is difficult to monitor and regulate.

 Impact on Reduction of Child Labour

While laws like the Right to Education Act have had some positive effects, child labour still
persists, particularly in rural and urban informal sectors. Many children continue to work in
agriculture, domestic work, and small industries.

 Gaps in the Legal Framework

Current laws do not address all forms of child labour, especially in the informal sectors.
Inconsistent enforcement and insufficient resources allocated for implementation further
hinder the reduction of child labour.
7. Recommendations for Improvement
 Strengthening Law Enforcement

There needs to be more robust implementation and monitoring mechanisms for child labour
laws. Law enforcement agencies should be better equipped and trained to identify and
address child labour violations.

 Raising Awareness and Education

Public awareness campaigns should focus on educating families and communities about the
dangers of child labour and the importance of education. This will help change societal
attitudes toward child employment.

 Encouraging Alternative Livelihoods for Families

To address the root cause of child labour, governments should provide financial support or
create sustainable livelihood opportunities for impoverished families, reducing the need to
rely on children for income.

 Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Child Labourers

Rescuing children from labour is only one part of the solution. Effective rehabilitation
programs should be established to reintegrate children into schools, provide psychological
support, and offer vocational training to those who are unable to return to formal education.
8. Conclusion
Child labour continues to be a critical problem in India, affecting millions of children.
Despite the presence of various laws aimed at eliminating this issue, challenges in
enforcement, poverty, and cultural acceptance hinder significant progress. A multi-faceted
approach involving stronger legal frameworks, increased awareness, and economic support
for families can go a long way in addressing this problem.

9. References
 The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
 The Right to Education Act, 2009
 The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
 International Labour Organization (ILO) Reports on Child Labour
 Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India