In a significant overhaul of child labour laws, the Modi Government has banned employment of children under 14 years in all kinds of commercial enterprises.
However, the Union Cabinet has allowed them to work in family enterprises and in the audio-visual entertainment industry, except the circus, provided their school education is not affected.
The original Child Labour Prohibition Act of 1986 banned employment of children below 14 in only 18 hazardous industries.
But instead of banning child labour altogether, the government, while keeping in mind the social fabric of India has made an exception for work done in family enterprises and on farmlands provided it is done after school hours and during vacations, an official statement said.
In a large number of families, children help their parents in their occupations like agriculture, artisanship etc and while helping the parents, children also learn the basics of occupations. Therefore, striking a balance between the need for education for a child and the reality of the socio-economic condition and social fabric in the country, the Cabinet has approved that a child can help his family or family enterprise, after his school hours or during vacation.
– Official Statement
Punishment for Violation
The government also proposed stricter punishment to employers violating the Act. Parents and guardians will not be penalised for the first offence but, for a second offence, they would be fined up to Rs 20,000. The penalty for employers has been increased up to two and half times — from Rs 20,000 to Rs. 50,000.
This is a change from the earlier position where parents or guardians were liable to get the same punishment as employers for permitting a child to work in contravention of the Act.
Entertainment Trade
Also, children working as artists in the audio-visual entertainment industry, including advertisement, films, television serials or any such other entertainment or sports activities, except the circus, have been granted exemption provided that “such work does not affect the school education.”
(With inputs from PTI)
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