IOSR-JHSS   National Multidisciplinary Conference On Child Labour: Issues & Challenges

Abstract: Street child labour has traditionally been seen as an urban phenomenon. The large-scale presence of street children is attributed to exploitative socio-economic structure and lopsided development .In present paper researcher has attempted to comprehend the causes and problems of street and working children in Thane city by collecting primary data from 121 street child labourers engaged in different activities like begging, petty vending and scavenging for recyclable materials. A programme focusing on re-uniting street children with their families should be adopted.

[1] Agarwal, R., Street Children (Shipra Publications, New Delhi 1999 Pp.23)

[2] Adeyinka, A.A., Social Correlates and Coping Measures of Street Children: A Comparative Study of Street and Non-Street Children in South Western Nigeria, Child Abuse and Neglect, 24, 2000, 1199- 1213.

[3] Ayuku, D., Odero,W., Kaplan,C., de Bruyn,R and de Vries,M., Social Network Analysis for Health and Social Interventions among Kenyan Scavenging Street Children, Health Policy and Planning, 18, 2003,109-118.

[4] Boyden Jo and Pat Holden, Children of the Cities (Zed Books Ltd, New Jersey, USA, 1991)

[5] Wasi Jehanara, Children in Difficult Circumstances (National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, New Delhi, 2002)

[6] P. K. Goyal , Street Children and Child Labour (Vista International, New Delhi 2005)

[7] Jyoti Dhawan, Somesh Gupta, and Bhushan Kumar, Sexually transmitted diseases in children in India' Symposium on Pediatric Dermatoses, Vol. 76, Issue 5, 2010

Abstract: It is a case study of five newspaper distributing boys of Chedda Nagar, Chembur. The researcher empirically examines to find out the struggle of these child labourers, how much struggle they have to undertake at their school going age to get a meagre salary for supplementing their family income. The present study examines in details their age level, family background, living environment, educational level, nature of work including wages, number of hours of work, health, employer, employee relations etc. The researcher's study creates not only awareness of the problems of these newspaper distributing children face in their daily life but also provides wealth of knowledge to social workers and administrators to improve the situation.

[1] J.C. Kulsrestha, Child Labour in India (Ashish Publishing House, New Delhi, 1978).

[2] Mohd. Mustafa, Onkar Sharma, Child Labour in India- A bitter Truth (Deep and Deep Publications, New Delhi, 1996).

[3] R. N Pati, Rehabilitation of Child Labourers in India (Ashish Publishing House, New Delhi 1991).

[4] V. V. Giri, Labour Problems in Indian Industry (Asian Publishing House, Mumbai 1958).

Abstract: Child labour is typically defined in terms of economic activities undertaken by a child that disrupts his/her usual age appropriate experiences of childhood and that jeopardizes his/her normal physical, cognitive, social and personality development [1]. In a way, child labour is a role reversal - what is considered to be adult work/responsibility/duty is assigned to the child.Pushing the limits of this definition will allow experiences of psychological role reversal to be included in the purview of child labour of different kind.Parentification is the role reversal due to the distortion or lack of boundaries between and among family subsystems - parental and children.

[1] International Labour Organization: Source: http://www.ilo.org/ipec/facts/lang--en/index.htm [2] I. Boszormenyi-Nagy &G. M. Spark,Invisible Loyalties: Reciprocity in intergenerational family therapy. (Hagerstown, MD: Harper & Row, 1973). [3] P. Minuchin,Families and family therapy.(Cambridge, M.A.: Harvard University, 1974) [4] M. Bowen, Family therapy in clinical practice. (New York: Jason Aronson, 1978) [5] V. Frances,&A. Frances, The incest taboo and family structure.Family Process,15, 1976, 235-244. [6] T. Parsons, The incest taboo in relation to social structure and the socialization of the child. British Journal of Sociology, 5, 1954,101-117.

Abstract: The issue of child labour is not a new concept in the Indian context. The issue has evolved over time with all its negativities surrounding it. Since independence though as a society we have come a long way, the issue of child labour has remained one of the most vexed issues of all time. Lately, there is a big turnaround visible in the situation as there is a decline in the absolute number of child labour in India as per census 2011 and when the same is compared to the number of child labour as per pervious periods' census outcomes. Though the economic literature is full of studies relating to the issue of child labour, there is real dearth of studies that look at state wise trend in child labour force.

Abstract: : This paper seeks to show how film recaptures strategies of invisibilisation of children and their labour. Children's bodies, as well as their very existence, are rendered immaterial, once they are out of the pale of the family and fall out of step from society. The paper examines this with reference to Mira Nair's film Salaam Bombay (1988). Film studies scholars however argue that film is today a medium that is dominated by power centres, and thus the body and all other visuals are seen or not seen according to the discourses on otherness. Thus, even though the medium of film is used to make things visible, people continue to remain invisible in these domains of powerful discourse.

Abstract: Child is future of any nation,but in India a large number of children are neglected because of various social and economic reasons like poverty,illiteracy,lack of facility,natural disaster and terrorism. This leads to employment of children in various economic activities like working as agricultural labourer, in shops, hotels and factories. The child labour is a complex problem that is basically rooted in poverty. The meager income of child labourers is absorbed by their families. By the factories Act 1948 and child labour prohibition and regulation Act 1986, child labour is prohibited before certain age(14 years) to work. In practice we observe,child labour is very uncontrolled in our society.

Abstract: The government has moved a proposal for a complete ban on child labour up to 14 years of age with the caveat that 'employment will be allowed in family enterprises after school hours.' This could perhaps be a death toll for child performers in the entertainment industry. There is no clarification if the suggested law would apply to child artistes in films and television shows as well. While there is no dispute on the fact that the consciousness about child labour is spreading in India, there is no agreement whether child artistes fall into or are excluded from the definition of child labour. Children performing in theatre, films and television is not new to India. But the concern now is the fact that the number of child artistes performing on screen has been continuously increasing in the last few years; be it television serials or reality shows..

Abstract: India is a global benchmark among emerging market economies, thanks to its pace of growth and rapid economic transformation. The swift growth of recent years has enabled the country to notably improve its infrastructure and fuelled the expansion of its industry, trade and exports. However, the dark side of India's growth story is that over 13 million children are working as labourers. The rehabilitation and education of children involved inlabour in India is without doubt crucial.The demographic statistics reveal that 35.3% of the population is below the age of 15.

Abstract: This paper analyses various amendments to laws which directly or indirectly concern child labour. It mainly looks at the proposed amendments to the laws regarding the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and the Juvenile Justice Act (JJA). The proposed changes are first outlined and then their implications are identified. Later the paper suggests some additional changes to build upon the positive aspects of the proposed amendments and to overcome some of the negative aspects.

Abstract: The 18th and 19thcenturies in England, in many ways, were eras of social and cultural paradoxes. While exploitation of labour and children increased to a point of insensibility, social movements resisting such practices also came into existence. It was an era of conscience raising through art and literature, with the writers and artists assuming the role of social critics. This paper makes an attempt to take a journey into the literary expressions of 18th and 19th century that reflect and resist child abuse and child labour. The paper will primarily focus on one essay - "The Praise of Chimney Sweepers" (1823) by Charles Lamb, as well as the poem "The Cry of the Children" (1843) by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Certain other texts too are mentioned in this paper to explore the differential treatment given to child abuse and child labour.

Abstract: India will receive its demographic dividend only when socio-economic condition improves. According to UNICEF, India has largest number of child labor in spite of a number of legal provisions, policies and programmes against child labor, introduced since independence. The paper gives an overview of problem of child labor and policies adopted to reduce the problem in India over the period of time. Research over the period has brought in all the reasons behind child labor. More need to be done in the area of finding feasible solution to the problem. This paper discusses Brazilian policy 'Bolsa Familia' which was the programme introduced to eradicate poverty and inequality.

Abstract: A heavily loaded socio-political surrounding triggered an urge amongst the class of literary figures to spread awareness about the society that was getting insensitive towards children. Late eighteenth and nineteenth century literary writings argued for the case of children and the harmful effects of child labor on the young minds. These works reflect the experiences and the mind-set of the people during industrialization and the French Revolution.

Abstract: This research paper makes a cost-benefit analysis and comparative study of two broad schemes or strategies adopted by the government to mainstream child labour, namely the NCLP and GIA scheme for NGOs functioning in the non-NCLP districts. The paper briefly overviews the two schemes. It then goes on to analyze the resources invested in them and their impacts. The comparative study draws out policy implications and makes suggestions for the effective implementation of the two schemes.

[1] Census of India reports.
[2] www.labour.nic.in [3] Census of India, 2011 report
[4] NCLP Scheme, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, www.labour.gov.in/content/division/nclp.php.
[5] Grants-in-aid scheme, Ministry of Labour and Employment, GOI, http://labour.gov.in/content/division/grants-in-aid-scheme.php. [6] 66th Round NSSO, 2009-10.

Abstract: Charles Dickens is a prominent name in Victorian English Literature and his novels are well known for their keen observation on the society, often in a satiric or humorous manner. Oliver Twist, which is Dickens' second novel, gives a detailed account of the life and sufferings of its protagonist. Besides, the novel also exposes the cruel treatment of the many orphans in London in the mid-nineteenth century, thus highlighting the theme of child labour. In fact, in Oliver Twist, Dickens satirizes the hypocrisies of his time, including, but not limited to, child labour and the recruitment of street children as criminals.

[1] Dickens, Charles. Oliver Twist. Manybooks.net, 2002. PDF file.

[2] Cogan, Brian. Deconstructing South Park: Critical Examinations of Animated Transgression. New Delhi: Lexington Books, 2012. Web.

[3] Henry, Peaches. "The Sentimental Artistry of Barrett Browning‟s "The Cry of the Children"" Victorian Poetry 49.4 (2011): 535-556. Print.

[4] Browning, Elizabeth Barrett. "The Cry of the Children" A Victorian Anthology 1837 – 1895. Ed. Stedman Edmund Clarence. Cambridge: Riverside Press, 1895; Bartlebuy.com, 2003.

Abstract: Since last three decades, the Voluntary Organisations are increasingly emerging as key players in the development process. They have acquired status as 'third sector' for innovative approach, flexibility and above all poverty reach. In light of such scenario, this paper attempts to comprehend the extent of success of their effort on abolition of child labour by following own ideology, autonomy, flexibility andaccountability in Nanded district located in backward Marathwada region of Maharashtra State.

[1]. Dhanagare, D.N. 1988 'Action Group and Social Transformation in India' Lokayan Bulletin,6(5)
[2]. PRIA,2003Invisible Yet Widespread: The Non-Profit Sector in India, Delhi
[3]. Planning Commission Report, 2003Performance Evaluation of Statutory Development Board in Maharashtra.
[4]. Kabeer, Nalia. 1994 'Gender Awareness Policy and Planning: A Social Relation Perspective' Gender Planning in Development Agencies , Oxfam India
[5]. Sahoo,U.C 1990 'Child Labour and Legislation' Economic and Political Weekly, November,17

Abstract: International trade has been one of the pillars of growth for developing economies. It is recognized that the core labor standards need to be universally appreciated considering the dignity of labor, decent living standard and fundamental rights. However, in developing economies, unless, eradication of absolute poverty is attained, amelioration of child labor issue would find no solution.

[1]. UNICEF Report 1997
[2]. Padmanabhan A: India‟s Child Labour Policies: its Impact within the ILO Framework with emphasis on Conventions 138 and 182and the Multilateral Framework with emphasis on the Social Clause of the WTO. May25, 2010.
[3]. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948. Article 23 to 25.
[4]. ILO (1994b), p 10.

Abstract: Child labour is a pervasive problem throughout the world, especially in developing countries. Africa and Asia together account for over 90 per cent of total child employment. Children work for a variety of reasons, the most important being poverty and the induced pressure upon them to escape from this plight.Working children are the objects of extreme exploitation in terms of toiling for long hours for minimal pay.

[1] Bilal Ahmed Bhat, "Gender, Education and Child Labour" 2010

[2] D. Chenna Reddy, Child Labour a Study Delhi, Serials Publications, 2007

[3] Daman Ahuja, The economics of Nimble Fingers- A myth: Social WelfareARY 1996

[4] Faraaz Siddiqi," Child Labour: Issue, Causes and Interventions" HCOWP56

[5] Jignesh C. Kulshreshtha, Child Labour in Indian Lock Industry Delhi, Uppal Publishing House, 1996