Informal Sector Creates Child Labour in Modern Society

Children are a nation's most precious asset. Hundreds of millions of children in developing countries start working at a very young age. These children are vulnerable to various forms of exploitation and abuse. They are exposed to risk at a work and are more susceptible than adults to the effects of various pollutants in the working environment. That is why it is the moral responsibility of the state and the society to ensure that the tender age of children is not abused, children are giving opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy atmosphere, and childhood is protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment. Despite these provisions in Article 39(c) and (f) of the Indian Constitution, the problem of child labour still persists and more in informal sector. Through the looking glass, the working environment reflects a plight of these working children. The plan to shift the thrust of the anti-poverty programmers to this segment of society that constitutes the bulk of child labour largely remains on paper.