Child labour remains a serious socio-economic and developmental challenge in India, particularly in economically backward regions. This paper examines the multidimensional deprivation experienced by working children in Nizamabad District using a composite index approach. Primary data were collected from 313 working children engaged in various sector activities. Standardised indices were constructed for health status, educational status, work burden, leisure availability, and psychological well-being, which were aggregated into an Overall Well-being Index (OWI). The results reveal low to moderate levels of well-being across all dimensions, indicating that child labour adversely affects children’s holistic development. The study highlights the need for integrated policy interventions focusing on education, health, reduced work intensity, leisure, and psychological support.
The issue of child labour and its consequences on developing economies during COVID-19 is significant to debate as the problem has hurt children the most in the current situation. Due to the Pandemic, children suffer more as many families face loss of lives, reduced livelihood, and economic opportunities. Children participating in the labour force belonging South Asian countries will face a surplus of Child Labour due to COVID-19 in the coming years.To the best of our knowledge, no such studies have considered the issue in hand. The study has worked on a "special survey evaluating the Socio-Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the well-being of people" published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. This study focuses on seeing the consequences of COVID-19 on the labour market, especially child labour. The analysis reveals overwhelming findings. It is suggested that the government should provide parenting support to help families on the verge of entering into poverty as COVID-19 has affected the income-generating opportunities. Further, it is recommended to coordinate with all the key players of the institutions to cover the problem of food security, child protection, and child anti-trafficking problems as these are the significant problems that children are facing. Moreover, Job opportunities should be created to facilitate youth employment; those near reaching their legal age to work should be included in the focused group to prevent child labour.
Abstract Despite the efforts of formal and informal institutions to manage child labour, current policies have not led to the realization of goals in this area. This study aimed to design and validate a workplace abuse questionnaire among the child labourers (WAQCL). The sample for the study was 250 Iranian child labourers, living in Tehran. The WAQCL investigated four factors (neglect, psychological, physical and sexual abuse) and consisted of 23 items. The questionnaire was found to have good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≥0.8) and good content validity (0.932). The instrument can help to assess workplace abuse in health care practice.
The child labour is one of pressing problems is not only the problem of India, but it is a problem of almost all the developing countries. The paper examines the nature and magnitude of child labour in the national capital region of Delhi. The child labour can be defined as the child working populations is known as child labour; whose age is lie within the age-group of 5 to 14years. In Delhi, the majority of child labour is engaged in various law key jobs or unorganized sectors (Garment industry, factories) which are hazardous conditions. The census record indicates that there is multiple growths in child labour which has been experienced during the census periods 2001 to 2011 in the capital. In this study a cause-effect relationship has been established of child labour during this inter-censual periods. Lastly, there are some of positive suggestions for further improvements in child labour in the capital.
The aim of this study is to investigate the current situation of child labour in Kathmandu's hotel and restaurant industry. Utilizing a quantitative research design, the study study focuses on male child workers who are employed in hotels, restaurants, tea shops, bus stations, and other informal sectors in Kathmandu. Using the convenient sampling method, a total of 147 male child labourers were selected. Frequency distributions and chi-square tests were used among the univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical methods. The results showed that the Janajatis and the Dalits were excessively represented among the child labourers, with the majority (61.22%) being between the ages of 12 and 15. The majority of children were from those families with unstable housing, high parental illiteracy (51.70%), and poor economic circumstances. Of the respondents, more than 81% had dropout of school, mainly as a result of personal choice, lack of good parenting, or household duties. These kids were frequently working over 12 hours a day at physically demanding jobs, mainly cooking, dishwashing, and customer service. Health problems also mainly; skin disease, throat infections, and hand pain were also found with them. Particularly, 61.2% of the respondents reported that they were unhappy with their jobs. Working hours and job dissatisfaction (p < 0.01), age and dropout rates (p < 0.05), and parental literacy and school enrolment (p < 0.01) were found statistically significant in the bivariate analysis. These findings denote that child labour has deeper roots in systemic injustice, social marginalisation, and a lack of educational support, not just an economic problem.
Background: Child labour remains a critical global issue, defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, potential, and dignity, hindering their physical and mental development. Despite Nepal's ratification of numerous international conventions and the establishment of national laws to combat it, child labour persists, with an estimated 1.1 million children engaged in work. The hospitality industry is one sector where this exploitation is prevalent. This study focuses on the socio-economic, cultural, and institutional factors driving child labour in the hospitality industry of Birendranagar, the capital of Karnali Province, which has the highest child labour rate in Nepal. Objective: The general objective of this research is to explore and analyze the key socio-economic, cultural, and institutional factors contributing to the prevalence of child labour in the hospitality industry of Birendranagar, Surkhet. Methods: This study employed a quantitative research design. Data were collected in 2024 from 104 child labourers working in hospitality establishments in Birendranagar-07, Surkhet, using a convenience sampling method. Primary data were gathered through a semi-structured questionnaire, covering socio-demographic characteristics and the causes of child labour. Simple frequency distributions were used for data analysis, with results presented in descriptive and tabular forms. Findings: The study revealed that the majority of child labourers were male (89.42%) and aged between 12-16 years (69.23%). The primary drivers of child labour were economic: the pursuit of financial independence (36.54%) and poverty (36.53%) were the most cited reasons, with 44.23% of respondents working to increase their family's basic income. Cultural factors played a significant role, with 53.85% of respondents acknowledging its influence; 30.36% believed cultural acceptance normalizes child labour. Key social factors included a lack of community support for education (36.54%) and peer pressure to join the workforce (29.81%). A majority (62.50%) of respondents did not believe parental negligence was a cause. Conclusion: The prevalence of child labour in Birendranagar's hospitality sector is a multifaceted problem rooted in acute economic deprivation, compelling children to seek work for survival and financial autonomy. This economic driver is reinforced by cultural norms that normalize child work and social systems that fail to provide adequate educational and recreational alternatives. Addressing this issue requires a multi-pronged approach that goes beyond legislation to tackle the deep-seated economic and socio-cultural underpinnings. Implication: The findings provide critical evidence for federal and provincial governments to formulate targeted policies and interventions aimed at creating a child labour-free society. The study also offers practical insights for NGOs and INGOs working in child protection, emphasizing the need for initiatives that address poverty alleviation, shift cultural perceptions, strengthen community support for education, and enforce child rights.
Dhanush Chandra Pathak, Tej Bahadur Karki, Balkrishna Paudel et al.
The current study delved into the complex issue of child labour. The study aimed to extensively examine the interrelation between child labour, poverty, illiteracy, and population growth. As a matter of fact, child labour is still an existing issue in Pakistan, depriving children from their basic necessities, such as education and a safe childhood. The study used a random sampling technique to collect data from a broad sample of 384 respondents mainly from general public of Lahore. Data was collected using standardized questionnaire which was then rigorously analyzed using SPSS. The results revealed that there is a significant link between child labour and the factors of poverty, illiteracy, and the growth of population.The results contribute significantly to the existing body of research and provide valuable insights for policymakers
Muhammad Hatim, Mubarka Abbas, Mahjabeen Arshad et al.
In the last two decades, Nepal experienced a significant rise in work-related migration and subsequent remittance inflows. We examine the impacts on child education and child labour in a two-wave panel constructed from the 2008 Nepal Labour Force Survey and the 2010 Nepal Living Standards Survey. We use grade-specific net enrolment rates rather than the more commonly studied attendance rate, and exploit variation in destination-driven predicted migration as an instrumental variable. Migration and remittances appear to raise net enrolment of children in secondary education. The positive effect on school outcomes is complemented by a fall in child labour force participation. The effects appear larger for children aged ten and above, and seem to predominantly operate through remittances.
Form of child labour for many decades is one of Dakshin Dinajpur's greatest problems.Many campaigns against child labour are organized by the Government and NGOs.However, because of the many socioeconomic conditions of Dakshin Dinajpur they were unable to achieve their goal.In order to estimate the number of children's work and situations, a General Survey 2016 (GS16) was conducted privately.In this research area we try to establish a methodology to determine child labour rates and scholastic retardation in Dakshin Dinajpur.
In Myanmar, almost one in ten children are engaged in child labour and more than half of the working children are doing hazardous work. The Covid-19 pandemic and responses to it have far-reaching social and economic consequences for vulnerable populations, including children in the worst forms of child labour (WFCL). This report examines how working children including those in WFCL and their families in Hlaingtharya, Yangon, Myanmar experienced the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic and how it intersects with existing vulnerabilities to affect their incomes and livelihoods, living and working conditions, food security, housing stability, physical and mental wellbeing, and engagement in WFCL. It also explores how the pandemic has affected child protection systems and support networks that provide services for children and vulnerable families. In addition, the paper identifies knowledge and policy gaps related to WFCL and recommendations to tackle WFCL in Myanmar.
