Child Labour ban

The ban on child labour will come into force from 10th October, 2007 with the coming into force of the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act which bars children under 14 years from working as domestic help or servants at roadside eateries and other non-hazardous jobs. Their working in factories, mines and hazardous work environment is governed by another enactment.

The problem with the new law is that it does not provide for any comprehensive rehabilitation package.

A UNICEF report “World’s Children 2006” states that in India, which has the largest number of working children, 17% are under the age of 15 and girls aged 12-15 are the preferred choice of 90% households.