Child labor is defined as employment of children in a gainful occupation even at the expense of their physical, emotional and social well-being.
These children are from poor socio-economic group employed in various occupation as child labor, working outside their own family and earn for livelihood. They work with physical strength or patience without any skill or training.
3 WORKING SECTORS FOR CHILD LABOR
♦️ Unorganized sectors: The child labors are found as domestic servant, as helper in shops or restaurant, as vendors, shoeshine boys, rag pickers etc
♦️ Organized sectors: Here only a small proportion of working children are found.
♦️ Semiorganized sectors: child labor are most seen in this sector as precious stone polishing, bangle manufacturing, carpet weaving, sari embroidery, leather industry, match and fire works factory, balloon factory, building construction, etc.
11 FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILD LABOR
1. Poverty
2. Lack of education
3. Unemployment
4. Exploitation by selfish and lazy parents/guidance
5. Bad company
6. Begger-gang
7. School dropout
8. Maladjustment in the family
9. Broken family
10. Death of parents
11. Child out of wedlock
Child Labor is a social problem and needs special attention from all levels to eliminate the basic causes behind it. The children involve requires protection from Abuse, Exploitation and Health hazards resulting in their working sectors. These hazards include
♦️ Health issue like respiratory infection, tuberculosis, diarrhoea disease, parasitic infestations, scabies and STDs
♦️ Accidents and injuries
♦️ Hygienic problems
♦️ Drug addition and smoking
♦️ Juvenile delinquency
♦️ Prostitution
♦️ Malnutrition
Child Labor can be eliminated with combined efforts of parents, community, government, non-government and voluntary agency. Public awareness about the bad effects of Child Labor is important to prevent and stop it
