Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labour

June is dedicated to raising awareness about child labour, reminding us of the millions of children worldwide forced into work at the cost of their education and well-being. Child labour involves tasks inappropriate for a child’s age or abilities, leading to severe consequences on their development and future prospects.In India, the Constitution prohibits children under 14 from working in mines, factories, or hazardous occupations. Similarly, the International Labour Organization (ILO) classifies anyone under 18 as a child, who should be protected from hazardous work.Despite progress in reducing child labour, accelerating efforts to eliminate it in all forms is more crucial than ever. Observed annually on June 12, World Day Against Child Labour in 2024 will be on Wednesday, with the theme “Let’s Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labour.” This theme underscores the necessity for collective action to eradicate child labour and safeguard children from exploitation, urging governments, employers, workers, civil society, and individuals to collaborate towards a child labour-free world.This year marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, providing an opportunity to reinforce the implementation of key conventions: Convention No. 182 and Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age for Employment.