UNICEFWorld Day against Child Labour

by UNICEF India (Notes) on Wednesday, 12 June 2013 at 22:48

June 12, 2013 - “Ensure Entitlements to Children- Say No to Domestic Child Labour”Celebrated on 12th of June every year, the World Day Against Child labour calls the world’s attention to the plight of millions of children, girls and boys around the world who are exploited as child labour, including in domestic work.

Children in domestic work are especially vulnerable to exploitation. Their work is often hidden from the public eye, they are isolated and very often, work far away from their home. Children migrating alone and with their families are also at increased risks, including child trafficking. Taking advantage of their vulnerability, the children are trafficked from their villages in rural/ tribal areas and taken to the metro cities for work. Stories of the abuse of children in domestic work are too common.

Today, June 12, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights {NCPCR}, ILO and UNICEF, reiterate and renew their commitment towards ensuring that ALL children are free from labour including domestic work.

We believe that the Child Labour is the cause and effect of poverty. Elimination of Child labour is essential for promoting children’s right to education, protecting them from exploitation and ensuring their all-round physical, mental and social growth to realize their full potential.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Government, the civil society and parents to ensure that children are in schools and not at work. The decision of the Government culminating in the introduction of Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012 with the approval of the Union Cabinet to ban child labour in all sectors up to 14 years of age is a welcome step. However, there must be a roadmap for achieving the ultimate goal of making the country child labour free up to 18 years of age through progressive legislative and policy reforms as well as program interventions. The revised National Policy for Children {2013} adopted by the Government heralds a policy shift from a welfare-based approach to a rights-based approach towards children, which is in line with India’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). 

On this WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR,WE call upon all Government, UN Agencies, Bilateral and Multilateral Organizations, Civil society groups & citizens:i. To say NO to child labour, including in their homes;ii. To rescue & rehabilitate all children engaged in work and to provide them with care, support and protection;iii. to facilitate the realisation of the Right to Education for every child and ensure that all children complete at least secondary education;iv. To assist in strict enforcement of Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and take legal action against errant employers/perpetuators;v. To accord highest priority to combating child trafficking and build and support awareness programs for prevention and elimination through PPP mode;vi. To generate mass awareness and sensitise parents and society on the consequences of employing domestic child labour.

To conclude let us as a society resolve to say No to Domestic Child Labour