Child labour: the most visible type of child abuse and neglect in India

Child labour is the most visible type of child abuse and neglect in India. In spite of contra-legislation, it continues unabated. The enforcement machinery is inadequate. This paper is a discussion of why child labour is a form of child abuse and neglect. Definitions of child labour and child abuse and neglect are presented. These are followed by a report on the extent of child labour in India and the industries employing children, set within a description of the legislative context. The causes of child labour and their consequences are also discussed. There is a dearth of Indian research on the psychological consequences of child abuse, and of child labour in particular. Only the physical consequences of child labour in a few industries in India have been documented. Research findings from the developed nations are touched upon for a discussion of the psychological sequelae. The paper concludes with a few recommendations for the prevention and control of child labour. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.