Rehabilitation of Child Labourers

As per 2001 census, the total number of working children between the age group5-14 years in the country was 1.26 crore. However, in the Survey conducted by NSSO, in 2004-05 the number of working children were estimated at 90.75 lakh. As per NSSO survey 2009-10, the working children are estimated at 49.84 lakh which shows declining trend.

Child Labour is a complex socio-economic problem, which needs sustained efforts over a long period of time. Considering the nature and magnitude of the problem, Government is following a sequential approach of first covering children working in hazardous occupations/processes. Under the Child Labour Policy, Govt. of India follows a multi- pronged approach with the following three major elements:

(i) legal action plan.

(ii) focus on general development programmes for the benefit of the families of Child Labour; and

(iii)project-based action in areas of high concentration of Child labour.

Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act prohibits employment of children below the age of 14 years in 18 Occupations and 65 Processes and regulates their working conditions in those occupations/processes where they are not prohibited from working. Further, the Government is implementing National Child Labour Project (NCLP) in 266 districts of the country for rehabilitation of children rescued/ withdrawn from work. Under the Project, children rescued/withdrawn from work are enrolled in the special schools, where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, nutrition, stipend, health care, etc. before mainstreaming into formal education system.