WHAT IS "CHILD LABOUR"?

"Child labour" is, generally speaking, work for children that harms them or exploits them in some way (physically, mentally, morally, or by blocking access to education). BUT: There is no universally accepted definition of "child labour". Varying definitions of the term are used by international organizations, non-governmental organizations, trade unions and other interest groups. Writers and speakers dont always specify what definition they are using, and that often leads to confusion. Not all work is bad for children. Some social scientists point out that some kinds of work may be completely unobjectionable except for one thing about the work that makes it exploitative. For instance, a child who delivers newspapers before school might actually benefit from learning how to work, gaining responsibility, and a bit of money. But what if the child is not paid? Then he or she is being exploited. As UNICEFs 1997 State of the Worlds Children Report puts it, "Childrens work needs to be seen as happening along a continuum, with destructive or exploitative work at one end and beneficial work - promoting or enhancing childrens development without interfering with their schooling, recreation and rest - at the other. And between these two poles are vast areas of work that need not negatively affect a childs development." Other social scientists have slightly different ways of drawing the line between acceptable and unacceptable work.

International conventions also define "child labor" as activities such as soldiering and prostitution. Not everyone agrees with this definition. Some child workers themselves think that illegal work (such as prostitution) should not be considered in the definition of "child labor." The reason: These child workers would like to be respected for their legal work, because they feel they have no other choice but to work. . To avoid confusion, when writing or speaking about "child labor," its best to explain exactly what you mean by child labor or, if someone else is speaking, ask for a definition. This website uses the first definition cited in this section: "Child labor" is work for children under age 18 that in some way harms or exploits them (physically, mentally, morally, or by blocking children from education).

Interview with a former child labourer now enrolled at Child labour school

What is your name? My name is Bhola Munda. What is your parents name? Santosh Munda and Tulsi Devi Where do you belong to? I belong to Village Salguri, District Kishanganj, Bihar State. What kind of work do you do? I used to work at a brick kiln

Where are your parents now? My parents are no more. How much were you paid for the work you do? I was not paid as I was promised to and every day the owner used to force me to work for straight 18 to 20 hrs. A day. Have you ever gone to school? I have been dropped from school. Now to you are been admitted to school how do you like now? I got my name enrolled in school through a local NGO who works for child labour victims. Now I can have a better future. My life have been doomed if I spent my childhood in brick kiln. Did the school bring about any change in the work life? I learn to read and write after I joined the school as also about health, hygiene and discipline. I enjoy studying at school. What is your dream? I want to become a Police Officer. What has schooling improved in your life? While I worked at the Brick Kiln, it was tough. Often I used to be the recipient of verbal scolding from the owner and the supervisor. Circumstances made me work from morning till evening, at times in the sweltering heat and dirt. The verbal scolding is directed to extract maximum work in a day - slow pace is not accepted to achieve target production. The work at the brick kiln is largely paid on the basis of output - it is piece-rate basis. However after I have joined school, my life has undergone a transformation with exposure to the new environment at the school. I owe this to that NGO people. I have new confidence that I can do something with

my life. I want to join police service. With other children at this residential school, I get to play and study. It is lot of fun and I enjoy it. I do not want to go back to the brick kilns.