India accounts for highest number of child labourers in the world. They constitute 1.34 per cent of the total population of the country. Though stringent anti-child labour laws exist, these are ineffective in rescuing them from hazardous occupations

Most of the child labourers are engaged in agriculture and allied sectors, such as livestock, forestry and fisheries in urban and semi-urban areas. You can find a number of small children working in dhabas, small restaurants, eateries or as helpers and cleaners in buses or as domestic help.


Children are a cheap source of labour. Their inability to protest against their employers makes them preferable labourers. They are an exploited community. They have long working hours, hazardous working conditions and less wages. Devoid of education, recreation, leisure, love and care, these unfortunate children can hardly live their childhood.

The main reason behind child labour is poverty, children are forced to work early in their life. They work not only for their own survival, but also for their family. In such poor conditions, children are seen as extra hands of earning to improve their household income. Indebtedness also compels poor parents to get their children employed as domestic servants, agricultural workers and daily wage earners. Street children, who are either orphans or have run away from their homes due to domestic violence or poverty, have no option but to work in order to feed and clothe themselves.


For the protection and development of children, the Constitution of India has made the following provisions:

• No child below the age of 14 years shall be employed to work in any factory or in any hazardous employment;
  

• Childhood and youth are to be protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment;
  

• The state shall endeavour to provide free elementary education to all children till they complete the age of 14 years from the commencement of the Constitution within a period of 10 years.