Abstract

Child labour is a global phenomenon.  It exists both in the developing and developed countries of the world with a difference in cause and magnitude.  Its prevalence is more in the developing countries as compared to the developed countries, because the families to which the working children belong, are in an urgent need of income of child labour for their subsistence, where as children in the developed countries are often working for pocket money.  Though poverty has been identified as the main reason for the incidence of child labour, a study by the Centre for International Trade, Economics and Environment in India, mentioned that the problem is aggravated by the boycott of goods made by child labourers by the developed nations.  The Centre stated that since majority of the children work due to the prevalence of poverty, weaning them away from work by providing free education was not a solution in itself.  Rather, the solution will put a heavy burden on the Government exchequer.  According to the National Council of Applied Economics Research, “on an average, it will cost the Government RS.67, 740 Crore per annum.”  There are between 44 and 110 million child labourers in the country, according to the National Sample Survey Organization, which added that a majority of them are from Bihar.  Objectives of the Study to analyse the working conditions and problems of child labour who are employed in selected occupations in the selected area and to identify the various reasons which prompt children to work or take up employment, their concern for education, liking to acquire higher skills.

Key Words: Child Labour, Frontiers, Work, Socio, Economic