Social and Health Scenario of Child Labour at District Level in India

International Labor Organisation (ILO) launched International Programme for Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) in 1991 to contribute to the effective abolition of child labour in the world. In a cross sectional, study three hundred randomly selected children aged between 5-18 years from the different work places in a small district of eastern U.P were surveyed by using pre-tested proforma. Children upto age of 18 yrs remains in the domain of pediatrician and hence, this study included children upto 18 years. Majority had no formale ducation. They are school dropouts. Age at which they were, inducted as labour showed maximum number in age 9-13 years. A positive aspect was found in some to earn to finance their education. Apart from the known indirect correlates, which, are confirmed in our study, a positive attitude regarding study emerged. A good number is forced to satisfy their own life style motivated demands to boost their image and some to finance their education however as negative attribute some earn enough to indulge in vices like tobacco use. Poverty, as a trigger necessitated them to work and has compounded the problem in their rehabilitation. Their health is jeopardized i.e. malnutrition, anaemia and Vitamin A and B complex deficiency. The age of the children in present study is upto 18 years inclusive of adolescents while the legal age in The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986, there is a need for its upward revision.