State Consultation by Campaign Against Child Labour

 

“Shram Nako, Shikshan Pahije”
(Give Us Education; Not Labour)

State Consultation Organized by Campaign Against Child Labour

 

    The Constitution of India mandates free and compulsory education for all children in the age group of 6-14 years and also specifically prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in dangerous factories which may cause them physical as well as long term mental harm. Despite the strict laws against child labour, such labour is very much prevalent. This highlights the lack of awareness and lack of implementation of the law across the country. The current Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown have further aggravated the issues of child labour, child marriage, and out of school children.

    Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL) is a national network of civil society organisations working towards ensuring realization of children’s rights. The network believes that coordinated and synergised efforts by multi-layered stakeholders, including civil society organizations, State mechanisms, private sector players, academia, media, community, citizens, and children are important towards addressing the violation of child rights and coming up with innovative solutions.

    On the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour, CACL Maharashtra organized an online state level consultation on Friday, May 28, 2021. Children from various districts of Maharashtra, such as Parbhani, Nashik, Pune, and Mumbai, representing diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, participated in the consultation, sharing their experiences of being at the receiving end and their expectations from the authorities to improve the implementation and amend the policies towards total eradication of child labour. Most of the participating children were former or existing child labour in agriculture, brick klin, vegetable selling, domestic help, ragpicking sectors. Major demands voiced by the children during this consultation include -

1. Close down liquor shops so that children have a safe environment at home and do not need to earn for the family.
2. Bring clarity on the definition of child labour as well as hazardous and non hazardous occupations. The existing ambiguity leaves a huge scope for exploitation.
3. Set up community centres and creches to ensure a safe environment for the children when their parents are away for work. These centres can also be useful for accessing online education.
4. Provide financial support and more livelihood opportunities to the families so that children can continue their education instead of working.
5. Activate all child rights mechanisms at local levels, such as Bal Panchayats at every village/community level and schools, so that children can take up their issues.
6. Create more awareness on the importance of education, especially with the parents.

    Along with these demands by the children, CACL network also emphasized on following demands -

1. The campaign urges the governments to retract from the efforts to dilute the labour laws because that can put the families of workers into greater insecurities and further impoverishment, pushing more children into the labour market.
2. Abide by the commitments, we had taken while being part of the formulation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Restrategize and start working towards achieving Target 8.7 which aims to “secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms”.
3. Provide incentives to employers and investors to rebuild the economy, instead of allowing cheap labour and child labour, which is a counterproductive measure and puts the country on a back step.
4. Provide free and compulsory quality education upto the age of 18 years.
5. Enhance schemes like NREGA and plan similar options for the urban poor, and work towards better social security for informal workers, so that families are able to mainstream children into formal education.
6. Follow and tap data points for migrating families and facilitate easier ways of enrolling children in schools that will automatically prevent potential child labourers.

    Various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, social activists, journalists, teachers, parents, and children attended this online consultation. The State Convener of Campaign Against Child Labour, Ms. Alicia Tauro spoke about the need to hold such consultations and provide a platform for the children to voice their opinions and demands. Mandar Shinde moderated the panel of the child participants, while Ms. Arokia Mary presented the charter of demands by the children and CACL network. Former State Convener Manish Shroff presented a vote of thanks. The Campaign Against Child Labour will hold another State-level Webinar on June 10, 2021 in furtherance with the issues expressed during this state consultation.

For more details, contact:
CACL Maharashtra - 9892459833 / 9226104518