ACCESS TO EDUCATION IS A VITAL LINK TO BREAK THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF POVERTY, CHILD LABOUR, SAYS MOU DAS

Jyothi Venkatesh

"Access to education is a vital link to break the vicious cycle of poverty and child labour," says producer Mou Das, who feels that once children complete their education, they are more likely to find decent work in adulthood and can use their income to care of themselves and their families without relying on child labour. Speaking on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour, which is observed on June 12, Mou gave some statistics on the same, and said, "Child labour around the world has declined by more than a third in the last 15 years, it remains a serious challenge and barrier to the well-being of children. According to a 2017 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the number of child labourers around the world fell from 246 million in 2000 to around 152 million in 2016. However, millions of children continue to be exploited for cheap labour, especially in countries such as India."

She feels that though education is compulsory and free in India for children till they reach the age of 14, poverty forces families to prioritise putting food on the table over sending their children to school.  She says this is the reason that many children attend school irregularly or not at all because they have to work instead, and added, "I believe we as a society should come together and make out contributions in whatever possible manner do eradicate this menace. Support as many NGOs to help and educate the children who have little or no access to school."She also feels that child labour law should be "further tightened" and "more strictly enforced". "I have heard, to ensure the enforcement of these laws, the Indian government is currently developing another law which would increase the punishment for employers who use child labourers under the age of 14, changing the penalty from a fine to a prison sentence which would last several years," Mou signs off.