CHILD LABOUR / CSR AND CHILD LABOUR

Any work done by children under the age of 18 years which exploits them physically, mentally or morally or blocks their access to education is generally understood as child labour.

Common reasons for child labour are:
- Poverty
- Family Expectations
- Less costly
- Lack of education facilities
- Lack of day care facilities
- Public opinion which does not take the problem of child labour seriously enough
- Weak enforcement of law
- Globalisation and the need for law labour costs.

The problem of Child labour exists all over the world. However, it is a serious problem in India. UNICEF estimates reveal that India has the highest number of labourers under the age of 14 years. The Indian Parliament has passed numerous Acts to put a check on Child labour. For example, The Child labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986, The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) of children Act of 2000, the Right of Children to free and compulsory Education Act of 2009.

Policy against child labour is now a part of Corporate Social Responsibility.

For example,
- Jet Airways raises funds through its inflight collection programme for Save the Children
- CRY Citibank Card gives a percentage of what customers spend to CRY (NGO working with children) on behalf of the customers
- Shriram Social Welfare Trust (CSR) of Shriram group runs a destitute home called Ashram, for children from 2-14 years, runs primary and secondary schools for poor children and provides sponsorships in the forms of uniforms, text books, school fees etc. to poor children.