Despite significant progress, child labour remains a serious challenge in India. According to recent estimates, more than ten million children below the age of fourteen are still engaged in some form of work, often in hazardous industries such as firecrackers, mining, and brick kilns.
The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act 2016 completely prohibits the employment of children below 14 years in any occupation and bars adolescents (14-18 years) from hazardous occupations. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 further reinforces this by guaranteeing schooling up to the age of 14.
Citizens can report cases of child labour by dialling the Childline number 1098 or by approaching the local labour department. FFYR Human Rights Council partners with district administrations across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to rescue and rehabilitate child workers.