Eradication of Child Labour

Certain amendments to Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, including the proposal to ban all form of child labour upto the age of 14 years are under consideration of the Government.

Carpet weaving, handloom, zari etc. are already included in the list of 18 occupations and 65 processes where children below 14 years are prohibited from working.

There is currently no proposal under consideration in the Ministry of Labour & Employment to change the existing definition of Child Labour.

This information was given by Minister of Labour and Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge in reply in reply to a written question whether the Government proposes to ban child labour completely in all the trades and processes in the country; the details of policy initiatives that have been taken/proposed to be taken in this regard; the likely impact on handicrafts, weavers, carpet and other such industries which are dependent on child labour and the manner in which the Government plan to compensate these industries; and whether there is a proposal for revision in the definition of child labour to bring uniformity in all laws and recognize all working children up to 18 years as child labour.