Question : CONDITIONS OF CHILD LABOURERS

(a) whether UNICEF has conducted any survey regarding the pitiable condition of child labourers in the country and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(b) whether the Government proposes steps to make child friendly India for sustainability and protection of children and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government also proposes to amend Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulations) Act which will lead to a total ban on all forms of child labour up to the age of 14 and ban on worst forms of child labour involving hazardous work to the age of 18 and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes rehabilitation ensured in law which will be synchronised with existing International Labour Organisation (ILO); and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government for the security of these child labourers in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) As per information available on website, the UNICEF had estimated that 12 per cent of children of the age group of 5-14 years are engaged in child labour. However, the total number of working children in age group of 5-14 years in the country has declined from 1.26 crore as per the Census 2001 to 43.53 lakh as per Census 2011.

(b) The Government has taken multi-pronged action to eradicate child labour in the country. Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, prohibits the employment of children below 14 years of age in certain occupations and processes. Government is also implementing the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme since 1988 by which children withdrawn from prohibited employment are rehabilitated through Special Training Centres.

(c)&(d) A Bill to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 has been introduced in Rajya Sabha in December, 2012. The Bill inter-alia covers complete prohibition on employment of children below 14 years and linking the age of prohibition with the age under Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. The Bill also prohibits employment of Adolescents (14 to 18 years) in hazardous occupations/processes. The proposed amendment is in conformity with the ILO Conventions 138 and 182.

(e) Considering the magnitude and nature of problem of child labour, Government is following a multi-pronged strategy. It comprises of enforcement of statutory and legislative measures and implementation of National Child Labour Project Scheme.