Recent international initiatives. The role of NGOs. The role of trade unions. The role of central employers' organizations. The role of the media.
Child labour is a colossal problem in India.
Although the percentage of children in the labour force may be lower than it is in many developing countries, the hard truth is that India has the largest number of child labourers in the world. Less visible and more exploited are the millions of others employed in vast, mushrooming, often hazardous, industries manufacturing beedis, carpets, locks, slates, glass products, brassware, garments and leather goods. Mishra critically examines constitutional and legal provisions on the subject, the national policy and programme of action, international instruments and recent international initiatives, and the role of NGOs, trade unions, central employers' organizations, and the media. He also examines the salutary role of public-interest litigation and the deleterious impact of protectionist moves by developed economies. In the concluding chapter the author brings these various themes together and examines how the problem can be addressed on a war footing.