Peer-reviewed article
CHILD LABOUR AND SUPPLY CHAIN ACCOUNTABILITY: A CRITICAL LEGAL ANALYSIS OF CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY IN INDIA
Kumawat Kishanlal Bhuralal ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This legal analysis examines how corporations in India can be held accountable for child labour in their supply chains. The paper argues that while India has laws against child labour, these focus on prohibition rather than corporate responsibility. The author contends that companies need binding obligations to monitor their supply chains to effectively prevent child labour, and recommends stronger due diligence laws and transparency requirements.
Key points
- Child labour in India has shifted from visible organized sectors to hidden informal supply chains linked to domestic and global markets
- Existing legislative frameworks focus on prohibition and rehabilitation but do not adequately address corporate entities' role in perpetuating or preventing child labour
- Binding corporate obligations to monitor and regulate supply chains are necessary for effective eradication of child labour
- Stronger due diligence laws, transparency mechanisms, and integration of corporate accountability are recommended
- Study analyzes domestic legal provisions, international standards, and emerging corporate governance practices
Limitations
This is a legal analysis and does not present empirical evidence on the effectiveness of corporate accountability measures or the scale and characteristics of child labour in Indian supply chains. It does not evaluate specific interventions or provide data on child labour outcomes.
Abstract
Child labour in India has increasingly shifted from visible, organized sectors to hidden, informal supply chains linked with domestic industries and global markets. While legislative frameworks focus primarily on prohibition and rehabilitation, the role of corporate entities in perpetuating or preventing child labour remains underexplored. This research paper critically examines the concept of supply chain accountability and corporate responsibility in the context of child labour in India. It analyses domestic legal provisions, international standards, and emerging corporate governance practices. The study argues that without imposing binding obligations on corporations to monitor and regulate their supply chains, the eradication of child labour will remain incomplete. The paper concludes by recommending stronger due diligence laws, transparency mechanisms, and integration of corporate accountability within the existing legal framework.