World Day against Child Labour 12 June 2010

Message of Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister of Labour & Employment, attending the ongoing 99th Session of the International Labour Conference of ILO at Geneva – Accelerating action against child labour on the World Day against Child Labour 12 June 2010



 The Minister of Labour & Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge in his message on the eve of the World day against Child Labour has said that India is home to the largest child population in the world. We in India are following a robust multi-pronged strategy to tackle the problem of child labour which comprises of statutory and legislative measures, rescue and rehabilitation, universal primary education along with social protection, poverty alleviation and employment generation schemes. The objective is to create an environment where families are not compelled to send their children to work. Making interventions on behalf of Indian delegation to the ongoing 99th Session of International Labour Conference, 2010 of ILO at Geneva (2-18 June) Shri Mallikarjun Kharge said in his statement that the Government of India is committed to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. Legislations have been enacted to abolish bonded labour, prevent child trafficking, illegal trading in narcotic drugs and administration of juvenile justice.

Following is the text of the Minister’s Statement:





Mr. Chairperson,

I would like to compliment ILO for this Global Report under Follow up to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work 2010 which apprises us about where exactly we stand today in the fight against child labour. The document captures the journey so far, takes stock of the progress made and identifies the challenges to achieve the goal of ending all the worst forms of child labour by 2016, in a very comprehensive and forthright manner.

2. All member States of ILO are committed to a world free from child labour in terms of the Global Action Plan adopted in 2006. The commitment is evident from the profound effect of various initiatives taken by member States, in the form of legislative reforms and policy measures, on bringing about a continuous decline in overall numbers of working children.

3. We appreciate the references made in the Report about India’s efforts and achievements to end child labour. India is home to the largest child population in the world. We are following a robust multi-pronged strategy to tackle the problem of child labour which comprises of statutory and legislative measures, rescue and rehabilitation, universal primary education along with social protection, poverty alleviation and employment generation schemes. The objective is to create an environment where families are not compelled to send their children to work. Success can be achieved only through social engineering on a major scale combined with national economic growth. India has all along followed a proactive policy with respect to the problem of child labour and is continuously developing elaborate measures to combat it.

4. Our Constitution provides for protection of children from involvement in economic activities and vocations unsuited to their age. The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 has been enacted to ban employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories, mines and hazardous employments. Presently there are 16 hazardous occupations and 65 processes that are specified under the Act where employment of children is completely prohibited. The employment of children as domestic workers and in shops, restaurants etc. has been prohibited since 2006. Proper enforcement of the legislation is being ensured at the Central and state levels. We adopted a National Child Labour Policy in 1987. Under the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme child labour withdrawn from work are provided education and vocational training. There are around 9000 NCLP schools being run in 271 Districts of the country.

5. Government of India has taken an important step by making the Right to Education a Fundamental Right for children under the Constitution. Every child in the age group of 6-14 years is to be provided free and compulsory education The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act came into force on 1.4.2010 to facilitate implementation of this right. Mid Day Meal Scheme for school children is being operated.

6. Government has adopted various innovative measures to benefit and empower the informal sector workers in the form of Labour Welfare Funds and the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 has been introduced. The RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana) a scheme for providing cashless health cover to below poverty line families is running successfully all over the country and its coverage has now reached 14.5 million smartcard users. Government has created a National Social Security Fund for informal sector workers during 2010-11. A legislation to ensure Food Security for the poor and vulnerable populations is in process.

7. To increase livelihood opportunities and asset creation in rural areas the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) is being implemented by Government. This scheme has been expanded to cover the entire country. Government of India has launched the National Policy on Skill Development to create a workforce empowered with improved skills and knowledge to gain access to decent opportunities of employment.

8. The Government of India is committed to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. Legislations have been enacted to abolish bonded labour, prevent child trafficking, illegal trading in narcotic drugs and administration of juvenile justice.

9. India has been opposing linkages between trade and core labour standards in various international fora. We are happy that the Report (Para 353) endorses the fact that majority of child labour is not found in the export sector but in production of goods and services meant for local consumption. We urge upon all member States to work towards open, constructive and collaborative action against child labour for effective results and increased success.

10. In the context of child labour free world by 2016, we feel that the process of elimination of child labour goes beyond ratifications; it is more a question of adequate socio-economic responses and deep political engagement keeping in view the national conditions. The ILO can play an important role towards advocacy and mobilisation. We endorse the steps for building global momentum as indicated in Para 377 of the Report.





11. Mr. Chairperson. We have to stop child labour because children are our future. To conclude I would like to support the positive note in the Report that eliminating child labour is possible and affordable if the world wills it and fights for it.



Thank you.



SOURCE;PIB