Are amendments to the Child Labour Act effective enough?

Children are 'tomorrow's future' but the social evil of child labour puts a big question mark on the future of children who are forced into employment at a young age.

The amendments recently passed by the Union Cabinet to the Child Labour Act (Prohibition and Regulation) has gotten varied opinions from people. One section of views supports the changes that allow the working of children with parents/guardians and in entertainment, provided that their education is not compromised and the other side believes that the amendments will do more harm than good.

To get a better understanding of the new amendments and how it will impact vulnerable children, we conducted a 'twitter chat' on 'Do you think the amendments to the Child Labour Act will help tackle Child Labour' with some renowned experts who gave us insights into what they think about the government's decisions to modify the Act.

Ms. Nandana Reddy, founder of Concerned for Working Children, Child Rights and You (CRY), and MV Foundation had an insightful discussion with us and our Twitter audience, helping us understand the implications of the amendments.

Here are a few snippets from the chat that took place today on Anti Child Labour Day:

Views on the amendments to the Act

Views on the Act

When a child opts to work, what can be done then?

When a child opts to work

Improving socio-economic environment in society

Improving socio-eco envt

Through the discussion, we were able to garner information into the different aspects that hinder the removal of child labour from our society. Though the need for awareness is warranted, we also need implementation of stricter laws that are free of loopholes, accessibility to free education and career opportunities and most importantly, a participative society that works with the government to eradicate this social evil from our society.

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More about the Experts:

CRY – Child Rights and You (formerly known as Child Relief and You) is an Indian NGO that believes in every child's right to a childhood – to live, to learn, grow and play. For over 30 years, CRY and its partners have worked with parents and communities to ensure Lasting Change in the lives of more than 20 Lakh underprivileged children.

 

Ms. Nandana Reddy is a social and political activist; Initiator of the question that resulted in the Gurupadaswamy Committee Report 1979; Author of the Child Labour [Employment, Regulation, Training and Development] Bill 1985; and Founder of The Concerned for Working Children (CWC), a 35 year old Nobel nominated child rights organisation.

 

MV Foundation - The Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Foundation (MVF), is based on the non-negotiable principle that 'no child works and every child attends full time formal school as a matter of right', MVF has been working towards abolition of child labour in all its forms and mainstreaming them into formal schools, for over two decades now. Cumulatively over a period of 24 years, it has mainstreamed over 1 million out of school children into full time formal day schools and ensured their retention till they completed class 10. Out of these, nearly 60,000 children have been mainstreamed through the residential bridge course camps to formal schools, government social welfare hostels and residential schools.

Disclaimer:

Views expressed here are of the author alone and do not necessarily represent that of the brand.