ADVERTISEMENT

Bill allowing children to work for their families attacked by activists

The bill also introduces heftier penalties of between six months to two years for those found guilty of breaking the law, and a fine of up to 50,000 rupees ($740).

Narendra Damodardas Modi-Prime Minister of India.

India's upper house of parliament passed an amendment to the Child Labour Act late on Tuesday, which would allow children under 14 to help their parents with home-based work, including farming, after school hours and during holidays.

"The law is being changed after 30 years and yet it has found a way to justify some form of child labour," said Enakshi Ganguly, a founder of the charity, HAQ: Centre for Child Rights.

The bill, which is expected to be passed by the lower house of parliament, also allows children aged between 14 and 18 to be employed in other professions not designated as "hazardous".

For example, children working as artists in the entertainment industry, including advertisement, films, television serials have been granted an exemption to work under the new law as long as it does not affect their schooling.

ADVERTISEMENT

India is home to 5.7 million child workers aged between five and 17, according to the International Labour Organization, which estimates there are 168 million child workers globally.

More than half of India's child workers labour in the fields, and over a quarter in manufacturing - embroidering clothes, weaving carpets or making matchsticks. Children also work in restaurants and hotels, and as domestic workers.

Defending the bill, India's labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya told parliament the new law was stringent and would reduce child labour in the country.

He also said that a family-run business would be less exploitative because it did not pit employer against employee.

ADVERTISEMENT

"It is very difficult to establish who is not part of family in our social fabric," HAQ's Ganguly told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"Everyone is an uncle and who is going to check the validity when a rescued child labourer says he worked for his uncle."

Parliamentarians opposed to the amendments argued that allowing children to work in the family business undermined the

"Would we even dream of allowing our children at home to come back from school and assist us or work for us? What is not right for our children is not right for a child from an economically weaker background," lawmaker Kanimozhi Karunanidhi told parliament.

During the debate in parliament, questions were also raised about exposing children to pesticides used in farming or other hazards in home-based business like carpet-weaving, bangle-making and rolling beedis.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Nigerians are expected to pay for TV licences — here’s what the law says

Nigerians are expected to pay for TV licences — here’s what the law says

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT