Peer-reviewed article

Examining the Evolution of Child Labour Laws: National and Global Standpoint

Nilanjana Banerjee · 6 Sept 2023

Abstract

Child labour is not any new menace; however, it has been an unspoken topic. Although it has been practiced since ages, however, it was not until the last century that the matter became principally addressed due to the socio-economic background of India. Since then, authorities have been devising methods to tackle this peril which has defaced many children and impeded them from enjoying their life up to its full potential. This is prevalent not just in India, but almost everywhere across the globe. Only after it garnered sufficient attention, several international conventions have been promulgated to regulate child labour and outlaw this practice, though not in its entirety. Neither in international arena nor national, there is an absolute ban on the child labour. We can find restrictions either on minimum age of children being employed or their latitude of working. This somewhat leaves an elbow room open for the employers to exploit child labour. Moreover, sudden clamping of lockdown 3 years back hadexacerbated the matter when financial condition worsened and soon after lockdown was lifted, these children were again involved in work. The present labour law codes which are yet to be effectuated do not specifically mention about children except for one instance where children below 14 years are not allowed to work in mines or factories. While, children of 14–16 years can join only as apprentice. However, this provision has been nullified by another provision of the same act, resulting into no prohibition on children. These significant legal lacunae can be used tactfully for exploitation of the bubbling energy. Such has been discussed in this study, along with tracing the growth of laws concerning the same.