"Let us renew our collective commitment to protect every child's right to learn, grow, thrive," Kharge urges on World Day Against Child Labour
New Delhi, June 12
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday called for renewed efforts to eliminate child labour in India, highlighting the persistent challenges faced by children in health, education, and nutrition.
In a post shared on X, Kharge wrote, "Every child has the right to health, education, protection and a childhood free from exploitation. Child labour is not merely an economic issue; it is a social injustice that robs children of their future."
He noted that while the enactment of the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, helped reduce child labour across the country, recent legal amendments, cuts in child protection budgets, and the long-term socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed some children back into exploitative labour.
Kharge also cited alarming data on child health and education. According to NFHS-6, 29.3% of children are stunted, 31.8% are underweight, and 19% are wasted, exposing persistent nutritional challenges.
Kharge added that educational outcomes are equally worrying, with a NITI Aayog report showing that in rural India, 42% of Class 6 students, 36% of Class 7 students, and 29% of Class 8 students cannot read a Class 2-level text.
"Similarly, 64% of Class 6 students, 59% of Class 7 students and 54% of Class 8 students are unable to perform basic mathematical division, exposing deep gaps in learning outcomes," he added.
"Economic growth alone has neither been sufficient nor inclusive enough to ease the hardships faced by millions of families, often forcing children into work instead of school," Kharge further wrote.
On the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour, Kharge urged collective action, stating, "Let us renew our collective commitment to protect every child's right to learn, grow and thrive, and work towards eliminating child labour from India once and for all."
World Day Against Child Labour, observed annually on June 12, highlights the urgent need to eliminate child exploitation and protect children's rights globally. Established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2002, the day brings together governments, unions, and civil society to ensure every child can grow up safe and educated.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a teacher in rural Bihar, I see this daily. Many kids come to school hungry, and parents send them to work in brick kilns for ₹200 a day. The govt must enforce RTE Act strictly and provide employment guarantee to parents. Only then can we break this cycle. 📚
Interesting that Congress is highlighting this now. They were in power for decades and didn't solve it either. Child labour needs multi-pronged approach - better law enforcement, poverty alleviation, and quality education. Promises alone won't fill hungry stomachs.
The NITI Aayog stats are shocking - 42% of Class 6 students can't read basic text! What's the use of sending kids to school if they don't learn? We need to fix the education system first. Maybe focus on foundational learning like NEP suggests. 🎯
Important topic but feels like political point-scoring. The ILO data shows India has made progress but COVID reversed gains. Let's not blame just one party - it's a collective failure of society. Every middle class family hiring domestic help should also think about this.
My NGO works in slums of Mumbai. The reality is harsh - parents send kids to work because they can't afford school fees or books. Free education is a joke when uniforms, transport, and supplies cost money. Need universal basic income or conditional cash transfers targeted at poorest families. 🙏
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