(a) whether the Indian Government has not ratified the ILO
Convention No. 182 on elimination of worst forms of child labour
from the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor;
(c) the time by which the Government propose to ratify this
Convention; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to create a congenial
environment at workplace for child labour?
MINISTER OF LABOUR ( DR. SATYANARAYAN JATIYA )
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.
199 FOR 08.03.2000 BY SHRI ANNAZAHEB M.K. PATIL REGARDING CHILD LABOUR.
The 87 Session of International Labour Conference (ILC)
held in June, 1999 unanimously adopted ILO Convention No. 182.
for the purpose of the Convention the terms `the worst form of
child labour` comprises:
(i) all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery,
such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and
serfdom and forced or compulsory labour, including forced or
compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict;
(ii) the use, procuring or offering of a child for
prostitution, for the production of pornography or for
pornographic performances;
(iii) the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit
activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of
drugs as defined in the relevant international treaties;
(iv) work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which
it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals
of children.
Soon after adoption of the Convention at the 87th Session
of the ILO at Geneva in June, 1999, Government have initiated the
process for Ratification of Convention No. 182. The Child Labour
(Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986
regulates the working conditions of children in all employments
which are not prohibited under the Act. This includes working
hours, weekly holiday and health and safety measures creating a
congenial environment at workplace for child labour.