Child Labor and Exploitation: Laws, Realities, and Solutions

Child Labor in India: Legal Restrictions and Reality

Can a Child Under 12 Work as a Housemaid?

No. There is a government ban/law prohibiting it.

Why Might the Government's Measure Not Solve the Entire Problem?

Because in many cases, exploitation is never reported or goes unnoticed. The actual number of working children is likely much higher than official estimates.

True or False Statements

(0.5 points per answer)

Statement 1: Dhiraj has to work the whole night.

True. "His 12-hour work shift begins at 9 pm."

Statement 2: His family does not need the money he earns.

False. "Dhiraj's pay is crucial in the family's battle to survive."

Statement 3: In India, some children start working when they are five years old.

True. "Parents say poverty forces them to send their children...and businesses."

Statement 4: Children cannot work in roadside food stalls.

True. "An Indian government law…2006"

Child Exploitation: A Global Issue

Child exploitation refers to child labor within any economic production system. This issue significantly affects developing countries.

"Child exploitation" occurs when children under 18 participate in activities that negatively impact their personal development, enjoyment of their rights, or involve risk and danger. This includes children forced into constant work who are then deprived of their earnings, as well as those who are victims of trafficking in drugs, arms, etc.

Eliminating child labor has been a priority for the United Nations since its inception, aiming to prevent and combat child exploitation.

Some reasons for child exploitation include social exclusion, child exploitation networks, parental neglect, and orphaned children.

The political will of states is crucial to combat this global scourge. This involves prosecuting any adult perpetrating this crime.

To prevent child exploitation, industrialized countries should commit to not buying products made with child labor. They must also commit to helping the development of poor and developing countries so that children are not forced to work.