CHILD LABOUR IN INDIA: A SOCIO-ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE PATH TO REFORM
AUTHOR – NAVEEN RAJ.M, STUDENT AT TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY
BEST CITATION – NAVEEN RAJ.M, CHILD LABOUR IN INDIA: A SOCIO-ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE PATH TO REFORM, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (5) OF 2025, PG. 301-309, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344
ABSTRACT
“No child should be working when they should be learning, dreaming, and growing.”
Child labour remains a frontline concern in India, as early entry into the labour market during the formative years deprives children of access to quality education, thus curbing their potential for a better future. Child labour is not merely a socio-economic issue—it is a violation of fundamental human rights, robbing children of their innocence, dreams, and dignity. This complex problem is deeply rooted in poverty, illiteracy, and systemic inequalities, and continues to affect millions of children across the country.
Children under the age of fourteen constitute 3.6% of the total labour force in India, with approximately 85% engaged in agricultural work, 9% in manufacturing, services, and repairs, and 0.8% in factories[1]. An emerging and alarming trend is the use of children as domestic workers in urban areas, where they face unregulated working conditions, minimal or no pay, and are exposed to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. These environments often resemble modern forms of slavery, hidden behind the façade of care and employment.
Despite existing legislation and awareness initiatives, enforcement remains weak. However, various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based groups, and international bodies have begun grassroots interventions focused on rescuing, rehabilitating, and educating affected children. This paper explores the key factors contributing to child labour, analyzes the consequences on children and society, and proposes practical, multi-faceted solutions. These include poverty alleviation, universal access to education, community empowerment, and stringent policy implementation. With collective action and sustained commitment, the vision of a child-labour-free India can become a reality.
KEYWORDS: Child Labour, India, Poverty, Education, Human Rights, Domestic Workers, Grassroots Interventions, Social Reform