Campaign to Eradicate Child Labour by 2027

• 21 May 2025

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a comprehensive state-wide campaign to eradicate child labour by 2027. 

 Key Points 

Campaign to Eliminate Child Labour  

• The campaign aims to raise awareness, provide education, and support rehabilitation so that every child can access opportunities for growth and learning. 
• The government will organise special awareness programs on 12th June 2025, aligning with the World Day Against Child Labour, to intensify public engagement. 

 Uttar Pradesh’s Efforts in Bonded Labour Eradication and Child Rehabilitation 

• The government has taken a firm stand against bonded labour, rehabilitating 1,408 individuals between 2018–19 and 2024–25. 
  • These individuals have received Rs 18.17 crore in financial aid, helping them rebuild independent and dignified lives. 
• Between 2017–18 and 2024–25, the UP government has rehabilitated 12,426 children, helping them to continue their education. 
• The state has provided economic assistance to 1,089 families, ensuring they do not depend on child labour for income. 
• Under the Bal Shramik Vidya Yojana, the government has enrolled 2,000 working children in schools. 
  • The UP government launched this state-level initiative in 2020 to combat child labour through a targeted, structured approach. 
  • The scheme seeks to reintegrate child labourers into the formal education system, ensuring their right to learning and a dignified future. 

 World Day Against Child Labour 

• About: 
  • The World Day Against Child Labour is observed annually on 12th June. 
  • The day aims to draw global attention to the scale of child labour and the urgent actions needed to eliminate it. 
• Global Collaboration:  
  • The day serves as a platform to unite governments, employers' and workers' organisations, civil society groups, and citizens from across the world. 
  • It focuses on highlighting the challenges faced by child labourers and identifying practical solutions to end their exploitation. 
• Child Labour Eradication and the SDG Framework: 
  • The elimination of child labour is a key objective under the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 8.7. 
  • SDG 8.7 calls for immediate and effective measures to: 
    • Eradicate forced labour 
    • End modern slavery and human trafficking 
    • Prohibit and eliminate the worst forms of child labour, including the recruitment and use of child soldiers 

 Bonded Labour 

• Bonded labour, defined by the National Human Rights Commission of India, is a form of slavery called debt bondage that has persisted for centuries. 
• It is considered the most severe form of modern slavery, where workers are forced to work for long periods with little pay. This can include being coerced to work without pay for a specific period by an employer as a way to settle a debt. 

 Constitutional Provisions Related to Child Labour 

• Article 23: It prohibits trafficking in human beings and forced labour, ensuring protection against exploitation and degrading work conditions. 
• Article 24: States that a child under 14 years cannot be employed to perform any hazardous work. 
• Article 39: Outlines principles that the State should follow, including ensuring equal rights to livelihood for men and women, equal pay for equal work, protection of workers' health and children's well-being, and opportunities for children to develop in a healthy and dignified manner.