Question : Child Labour

(a)whether the Government is aware that the child labour is still prevalent in the country despite stringent laws;
(b)if so, the data of child labours reported in various sectors during the last three years and the current year, sector and State/UT-wise;
(c)whether the Government has decided to set up any committee to study the reasons and causes of increasing child labour in the country and for giving suggestions for its eradication and if so, the details thereof;
(d)whether the Government has directed the State Governments to ensure regular inspections/checks in schools, hotels establishments and shops etc. and spread awareness about child labour and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the States/UTs thereon; and
(e)whether the Government proposes to formulate a concrete policy to safeguard the children and eradicate the child labour problem in the country and if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)
(a) & (b): The number of main workers in the age group of 5-14 years in the country is 43.53 lakh as per 2011 Census which shows a decline from 2001 Census. The number of main workers in the age group of 5 to 14 years as per 2011 Census, State-wise is given at Annexure. The occupational sector wise data is not available from 2011 Census.
Contd..2/-

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(c) to (e): As per the data from Census, the number of working children in the age group of 5-14 years is declining. A Central Monitoring Committee with the representatives from State Governments and other concerned Ministries/Departments for overall supervision of the child labour projects, to discuss, analyse, invite suggestions on eradication of child labour is already in place. Further, Government has recently constituted a Task Force for recommending measures to eradicate child labour.

Government is implementing the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme for rehabilitation of children withdrawn from work. The NCLP Scheme also envisages awareness generation campaigns against the evils of child labour and enforcement of child labour laws.
The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 prohibits the employment of children below 14 years of age in certain occupations and processes and regulates the working conditions of children in employment where they are not prohibited. Ministry oversees the effective enforcement of the Act through regular monitoring and periodical review of reports sent by State Governments. As per the information received from States/UTs the number of inspections carried out under Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 during the last three years is as under:

Year No. of inspections
2013 230642
2014 269628
2015 146595

A Bill to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 has been introduced in Rajya Sabha in 2012. The Government has also decided to move Official Amendments to this Bill. The Amendment Bill along with Official Amendments, inter-alia, proposes complete prohibition on employment of children below 14 years, linking the age of prohibition with the age under Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, making the punishment for employers more stringent and constitution of Rehabilitation Fund for rehabilitation activities.
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