Child labour, a crime which refers to the employment of children in any work that deprives them of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school. In some countries, it is illegal but still, it’s a far way from being completely eradicated. Children around the world are routinely engaged in paid and unpaid forms of work that are not harmful to them. Child Labour happens due to a number of reasons. While some of the reasons may be common in some countries, there are some reasons which are specific in particular areas and regions. When we look at what is causing child labour, we will be able to fight it better. Generally, it happens in countries that have a lot of poverty and unemployment. Globally, as per International Labour Organization (ILO) 160 million children are estimated to be engaged in child labour and approximately 79 million of these children are engaged in hazardous work. Every religion has given the fundamental rights to everyone, whether he is child, women, man or old man. Holy Quran says: So, it is not the responsibility of children to earn money, they have a right to enjoy their childhood and get education. The biggest reason of child labour is poverty. That is why, Islam has given us the teaching to help poor people, relatives and orphans. The World Day against Child Labour is an annual observance held on June 12th to raise awareness about the plight of child labourers around the world and promote efforts to eliminate this practice. Each year, the World Day against Child Labour has a specific theme that focuses on a particular aspect of child labor. Through the World Day against Child Labour, the ILO and its partners work towards eliminating child labour and ensuring every child receives a quality education and a safe and healthy childhood. As the world marks World Day Against Child Labour on June 12, 2025, under the poignant theme “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: let’s speed up efforts!”, it serves as a powerful reminder of the millions of children still robbed of their childhoods, education, and dignity. While significant strides have been made globally in reducing child labor, the persistent reality demands intensified and accelerated action from all corners of society. Child labour, in its various insidious forms, is a grave violation of human rights. It perpetuates a vicious cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and stunted development, impacting not only the individual child but also the fabric of communities and nations. Children, whose hands are meant to hold books and toys, are instead forced into hazardous occupations, domestic servitude, or exploitative labor, their dreams crushed under the weight of premature responsibilities.
The Stark Reality: Glimpses From Kashmir: Even in the picturesque landscape of Kashmir, often lauded for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, the grim reality of child labor casts a long shadow. Poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and socio-economic vulnerabilities often drive families to push their children into work.Examples from Kashmir are as
(a) Handicraft Sector: The famed Kashmiri handicraft industry, particularly shawl weaving and carpet making, has regrettably been a sector where child labor has been prevalent. The intricate nature of the work, requiring nimble fingers, has sometimes led to children as young as seven being employed, often in dimly lit, unventilated spaces, enduring long hours and meager wages. This not only deprives them of an education but also exposes them to health hazards like respiratory problems and vision impairment.
(b) Automobile Workshops And Domestic Work: In urban centers like Srinagar, many children are found working in automobile workshops, petrol pumps, and as domestic helpers. These children often face harsh working conditions, physical abuse, and isolation, with little to no access to education or a nurturing environment.
(c ) Street Vending And Beggary: Economic distress and lack of opportunities also push children into street vending or, tragically, into begging, exposing them to exploitation and a life on the margins.
(d) Impact Of Conflict and Displacement: The region’s history of conflict and displacement has further exacerbated the problem. Many families, displaced from their homes or having lost primary breadwinners, are forced to rely on their children’s earnings for survival, making them highly vulnerable to exploitation.
“Let’s recommit to fighting child labor globally for every child’s right to a joyful childhood, free from exploitation and full of learning and laughter.”
Strategies to Eradicate This Menace: Eradicating child labor requires a multi-pronged, holistic approach that addresses its root causes and builds a protective environment for children.
(i) Strengthening Legal Frameworks and Enforcement: Strict Implementation of Laws: Enforcing existing child labor laws, such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, with stricter penalties for offenders is crucial.
(ii) (ii) Regular Inspections and Monitoring: Government agencies and labor departments must conduct regular, unannounced inspections of workplaces, especially in vulnerable sectors, to identify and rescue child laborers.
(iii) (iii) Cross-border Cooperation: For cases involving trafficking across state or international borders, robust cross-border cooperation is essential. (iv) Poverty Alleviation and Livelihood Support: They are interconnected goals, both aim at improving the well-being of individuals and communities. (v) Conditional Cash Transfers: Providing financial assistance to vulnerable families, contingent on their children’s school attendance, can be a powerful incentive to keep children out of work.
(iv) Skill Development for Adults: Equipping parents and adult family members with vocational skills and linking them to livelihood opportunities can reduce the economic pressure on children to work. (v) Access to Social Protection Schemes: Ensuring families have access to government social protection schemes like food security, healthcare, and housing can act as a safety net.
(v) Universal Access to Quality Education: It means ensuring everyone, regardless of background or ability, has equal opportunities to receive high-quality education. Free and Compulsory Education: Ensuring universal access to free, quality, and age-appropriate education up to a certain age (e.g., 18 years) is paramount. (vii) Bridge Courses and Remedial Education: For children rescued from labor, providing bridge courses and remedial education is vital to help them catch up and reintegrate into mainstream schooling. (viii) School Infrastructure and Facilities: Investing in safe, inclusive, and child-friendly school environments with adequate resources and trained teachers is crucial. (ix) Mid-day Meal Schemes: Nutritional support programs in schools can incentivize attendance and reduce the burden on families.
(x) Awareness, Sensitization: Community Mobilization: Launching widespread awareness campaigns in local languages to educate communities, parents, and employers about the detrimental effects of child labor is essential.
(xi) Role of Media, Art: Utilizing media, documentaries, and art to highlight the issue and create empathy can drive public discourse and action. (xii) Rehabilitation and Reintegration; Child-Friendly Support Systems: Establishing child-friendly spaces and mechanisms for the rescue, rehabilitation, and psychosocial support of child laborers. (xiii) Vocational Training for Older Children: For older children who have missed significant schooling, providing vocational training can offer pathways to decent work opportunities in adulthood. Youth are a vital component of society, representing the future and playing a crucial role in shaping the present. The youth, with their energy, idealism, and technological prowess, can play a transformative role in the fight against child labor. They can contribute as Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns: Young people can leverage social media and digital platforms to amplify the message against child labor, share real-life stories, and mobilize public opinion. They can organize awareness campaigns in their schools, colleges, and communities.
Peer-To-Peer Education: By educating their peers about the issue, its causes, and consequences, young people can foster a generation that is intolerant of child labor.Volunteering and Outreach: Volunteering with NGOs working on child rights and child labor can provide direct engagement opportunities, helping with data collection, community outreach, and rehabilitation efforts.
Reporting And Vigilance: Young people can be vigilant in their surroundings, identifying and reporting suspected cases of child labor to the authorities or relevant organizations.Innovation and Solutions: Youth can come up with innovative solutions and initiatives, perhaps leveraging technology, to address specific challenges related to child labor, such as creating apps for reporting or platforms for educational resources.Empowering Other Children: By becoming mentors and role models, youth can inspire children from vulnerable backgrounds to prioritize education and understand their rights. Demanding Ethical Consumption: Young consumers can influence businesses by demanding transparency in supply chains and opting for products that are certified child-labor-free. The fight against child labour is a collective responsibility. On World Day Against Child Labour 2025, let us renew our commitment to accelerating efforts, ensuring that every child, including those in Kashmir and across the globe, is granted the fundamental right to a childhood free from exploitation, a childhood brimming with learning, laughter, and the promise of a brighter future.
(While Dr. Afreen Niyaz is presently working as Assistant Professor at Govt. College for Women, M.A.Road Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Ahmad is working as Professor (Statistics), SKUAST-K. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Dr. Afreen Niyaz
Dr. Bilal A Bhat
