“World Day against Child Labour” –12 June

Child Labour refers to any work that deprives children of their childhood and is harmful to their physical and mental development. It can be defined as any work that is unconstitutional for a child`s age by physical or mental abilities. In India, its constitution explicitly prohibits minors under the age of 14 years from working in mines, factories or dangerous occupations. Similarly, the International Labour Organisation defines a child under the age of 18 years, as someone who should not engage in hazardous works. 

The 2026 Theme is: Red card to Child Labour: Fair play for Children, decent work for adults. Article 24 of the Constitution of India directly states that no child below the  age of 14 years shall be employees to work in any factory, mine or engaged in any other hazardous  work. Article 21A guarantees the right to free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years, acting a crucial safeguard against forced labour. Article 39(e) and 39(f) direct the state to ensure that the tender age of children is not abused and that youth are fiercely protected against forced labour.

Global Statistics:

Globally, 138 million children are engaged in child labour. Around 54 million children work in hazardous environments that endanger their health and lives. It affects 78 million boys and 59 million girls. The age 5 to 11 is the youngest group that makes the largest share, accounting for 57% of all children in child labour ( roughly 78.4 million children). The age 12 to 14 represnts 24% of the total global child labour population ( around 33 million children). The age 15 to 17 represents 19% of the total population ( around 26.1 million children). Out of the 138 million child labourers, 54 million children are trapped in hazardous works. In terms of formal or informal economic work, boys face higher rates at 8.6% compared  to girls at 6.9%.

Core causes:

1.      Poverty: It is the single largest driving force behind child labour. In ultra poor households, a child`s meager earnings, even just a few cents a day, can constitute 10 to 20% of the total family income.

2.      Lack of social safety: When a primary breadwinner faces illness, disability or death, children are instantly pushed into work to fill the income gap.

3.      Failure of Educational systems: In remote or rural agricultural communities, the nearest secondary school may be hours away, making travel impossible or highly dangerous, leaving labour as the only daily alternative.

4.      Gender discrimination: Often boys' education is prioritized over the girls, Girls are disproportionately pulled out of the classrooms early to handle domestic care, fetch water, or enter domestic servitude.

5.      The “Nimble Fingers Myth”: Industries such as manual carpet weaving, cotton picking or artisanal gemstone polishing, deliberately exploit children under the false pretext that their small hands are required for precision.

Measures to eliminate child labour:

1.      Universal Child Benefits: Direct cash transfers  to vulnerable families remove the economic desperation that forces them to rely on a child`s income.

2.      Safe and accessible schools: Building local schools reduces dangerous travel times and cuts down on student dropout rates.

3.      Mandatory Digital Birth Registrations: Securing a legal identity at birth prevents employers from falsifying a child`s true age to evade prosecution.

4.      Ethical Consumerism: Supporting brands certified watchdogs like Googleweave helps eradicate child exploitation in textile markets.

Child labour remains an alarmingly persistent global crisis that systematically deprives millions of children of their childhood, fundamental rights and future potential. While collaborative global efforts have nearly halved the total number of working children since 2000, current progress remains too slow to meet global elimination goals.

(The writer can be contacted at shrutikadabur1@gmail.com)