12 June is celebrated annually as World Day Against Child Labour. The International Labour Organization started this day in 2002. The day intends to bring issues to light and activism to stop child labour. Read more on World Day against Child Labour 2020, and spread awareness among all to stop child labour.
Background
The International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations body that manages different works, propelled the World Day Against Child Labor in 2002. It was to bring consideration and join endeavors to fight against child labour.
This day unites governments, local authorities, civil society, international laborers, and business associations. Therefore, all join in together to bring up the child labour issue and characterize the rules to help child workers.
Celebration
World Day Against Child Labour 2020 focuses on the effect of emergency on child labour. The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting the individuals’ lives and occupations. Sadly, children are the first to suffer. The emergency can drive a huge number of helpless youngsters into child labour.
As of now, there are an expected 152 million children as child workers, 72 million of which are in unsafe work. This year, the World Day Against Child Labour is directed as an effective campaign. It is being sorted out mutually with the Global March Against Child Labour and the International Partnership for Cooperation on Child Labour in Agriculture (IPCCLA) .
What is Child Labour?
Child Labour means to the abuse of children through any type of work that denies kids of their childhood, and is physically, mentally, socially or ethically making harm to them. Not all work that kids do is classed as child labour.
There isn’t an issue if a child is attempting to work without compromising their health, prosperity or education. In many cases, kids may do tasks for their parents or jobs to earn pocket-money or get work experience for their life ahead.
How to stop Child Labour?
Almost every country of the world is going through the social issue of child labour. Governments and various organizations have launched many schemes, projects, and campaigns to fight against child labour.
The International Labour Organization has launched and worked on many IPEC projects on child labour. Some of them includes:
- ACCEL Africa Project
- Child Labour – ARISE II
- MAP16
- Child Labour – My PEC
- Clear Cotton Project
- Child Labour – GAP 11
Initiative taken in India against Child Labour
In 1988, the Government of India started a initiative scheme, National Child Labour Project (NCLP). It is to restore working kids in 12 child labour endemic districts of the nation.
At present around 6000 extraordinary schools are in activity under NCLP conspire. On this date, more than 10 lakh youngsters have been mainstreamed into the proper education under the Scheme.
The scheme follows the objectives below:
- This is the major Central Sector Scheme for the rehabilitation of child labour.
- The Scheme seeks to adopt a sequential approach with focus on rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations & processes in the first instance.
- Under the Scheme, survey of child labour engaged in hazardous occupations & processes has been conducted.
- The identified children are to be withdrawn from these occupations & processes and then put into special schools in order to enable them to be mainstreamed into formal schooling system.
- Project Societies at the district level are fully funded for opening up of special schools/Rehabilitation Centres for the rehabilitation of child labour.
- The special schools/Rehabilitation Centres provide:
- Non-formal/bridge education
- Skilled/vocational training
- Mid Day Meal
- Stipend @ Rs.150/- per child per month.
- Health care facilities through a doctor appointed for a group of 20 schools.
Other Acts in India against Child Labour
- Minimum Wages Act, 1948
- The Plantation Labour Act
- The Mines Act, 1952
- The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958
- The Apprentices Act, 1961
Slogans
- “Do a Favour, Avoid Child Labour.”
- “Child in Pain is No Gain!”
- “Small Hands Can Handle a Pen Better.”
- “Let Children be Children, Not Child Labourers.”
- “Child labour is an illegal act!”
- “Child labour is against the nature.”
- “Children are too small to earn money.”
- “Let them earn knowledge not money.”
- “Education is their birth rights, let them educate not earn”
- “Don’t be greedy; send your children to school.”
READ ALSO – International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
