Strengthening the Commitment and Withering the Problem of Child Labor: A Case Study of Pratham Council for Vulnerable Children (PCVC)

INTRODUCTION

Child labor is that work which deprives children of their childhood, potential and dignity. Child labor refers to ―work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children; andinterferes with their schooling by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school and obliging them to leave school prematurely; or requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy work.‖ [1] This evil is not godsend but historically and socially conditioned. What this means how this practice originated, grew and its dynamics were essentially found with changing trends in production and reproduction of a given social background. It was capitalism that encouraged child labor practice. Earlier, children were just helpers in family occupations. With capitalism, they were forced out of family working system. This propelled their exploitation with disastrous consequences. India is not an exception to this rule. In fact, ancient India propagated child protection. According to Manusmriti, a Hindu scripture, dated somewhere between 1500 BC and 500 AD, ―Children were wanted, considered precious and the future of nation. Therefore, their being healthy, intelligent, well mannered, prosocial, well educated and skilled was considered very important. Children's education was given paramount importance.‖[2] All children had to be educated regardless of background or gender. It is claimed India boasts of maximum child laborers globally. The 2011 census puts the number at 10.1 million child laborers in the five to 14 age-bracket. With increased industrialization this situation turned ugly. Countries introduced labor. Despite laws and jurisprudence, child labor practice still continues. Analysis of this issue shows an unwillingness to tackle the issue head-on. ―Watered-down provisions which seek to regulate instead of outlawing, and creating artificial distinctions between ‗children‘ and ‗adolescents‘ and ‗hazardous‘ and ‗non-hazardous‘ show a regressive attitude and one that actively harms the interests of children. A study of the child labor laws reveals a tolerance towards children working and being employed.‖ [3] Various researches are being done on child labor. Issues focused on and being focused on are ragpicker children and child laborers and unorganized sector, child beggars etc. Most of the studies conducted have not paid attention to the remedial aspects in general and the role of NGOs in combating the problem in particular. They have either taken account of the impacts, consequences, its factors or the severity of the problem. However, it‘ll be unfair not to take account of the role of civil society, NGOs parallel to the government and its agencies in the 21st Century in fighting the issue in its entirety. Some NGOs are actively working to combat the problem at its core and have done exemplary work so much so they have gained international recognition. NGOs are ‗advocates, educators, catalysts, monitors, whistle blowers, mediators, lobbyists, activists, mobilizers (of both men and resources), protectors of human rights, conscientizers, animators and conciliators‘. Therefore, the present research paper is an attempt to find out the role of NGOs in general, with PCVC as a case study in particular, in combating this evil practice.

To find out the efforts carried out to combat the problem of child labor in its entirety. (i) To compare the efforts of government and non-government agencies in dealing with problem of child labor. (ii) To investigate the role of non-government organizations in tackling the issue of child labor.

To trace out the efforts launched to combat child labor in entirety, following questions were put forth to working and rehabilitated child laborers, guardians and employers. or school facilities were provided within the community, would it alleviate child labor? The responses given by respondents are in the table below. Data in above table shows in both cities of Lucknow and Bareilly, respondents majorly favored setting up of non-formal schooling or school facilities within the community. Employers agreed 100%. The present research reveals as part of non-formal schooling, Pratham sets up multiple activity centers (MACs) or colloquially called Pratham center. At MAC children between 3-6 years are prepared ‗through learn with fun‘ for admission to primary classes either in private or government schools. Senior children out of school are educated in Hindi, Math, GK, and other subjects taught in schools so that they adjust when enrolled formally. MAC also focuses on skill development for both boys and girls.

Another question put to respondents was there community awareness about government campaigns for training adolescent child laborers? Respondents answers are given in the table below. Data in the above table shows in both Lucknow, 54.22% and Bareilly, 61.82%, the community was aware about government campaigns for training adolescent child laborers.

Data in the above table shows that in cities of Lucknow and Bareilly majority of respondents were not aware of any government schemes that could help adolescent child laborers be professionally skilled. Among working child laborers who were aware of these schemes, said this government initiative had lowered number of working children employed as laborers.

Respondents were queried were they aware about government‘s National Child Labor Program? The responses given are in the pie chart below. Data in the above pie chart shows in Lucknow respondents were unaware of government‘s scheme NCLP while in Bareilly completely unaware. Individual initiatives reflect citizen responsibility towards the nation. In Odisha, Dr. Achyuta Nanda Samanta has established Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in 1992-93. Samanta believes holistic education is a comprehensive solution for eradication of evils in society. KISS is the world‘s largest free holistic educational residential institute for 37,000 poorest indigenous/tribal children and radical armed movements, livelihood etc. among tribes in the poverty stricken districts of Odisha.‖ [4] KISS aims to promote evidence-based policy making by building a knowledge base through action research and other development programs on children‘s issues. KISS solutions include integrated holistic education, nutritious food, arresting drop-out rate, improved health conditions of the tribal children, ‗earn while you learn‘ scheme (vocational training) where students send some money back home consequently, acting a catalyst to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. Corporates are also increasingly being concerned with child labor in their supply chains. In fact, ―The Social Dialogue Section of ILO-IPEC supports businesses‘ efforts to reduce child labor and to increase compliance with the ILO‘s child labor standards: Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age and Convention No. 182 on Worst Forms of Child Labor.‖ [5] Within this concept of corporate social responsibility, it is worthwhile to mention billionaire financier Warren E. Buffet‘s philanthropic philosophy. Buffet‘s philanthrophy attitude has greatly inspired the notion of CSR. This sense of philanthrophy has now seeped deeply into corporates. Corporates‘ are now making efforts on a social scale to help tackle child labor issue at its core. In fact, corporates in India have set up CSR initiatives to tackle child labor and promote child‘s rights in various states. ―Government initiatives like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, school admission flexibility, aangawadis, portability of social security and educational entitlements for migrant workers‘ children, mid-day meal scheme have notched up children‘s numbers in going to school and not to work.‖ [6] While tackling this evil, comparisons of government and NGOs efforts should also be considered. Therefore to assess this, following questions were asked. government agencies taken measures to spread awareness in the community about evils of child labor? The responses given are mentioned in the table below.

Data in the above table shows that rehabilitated child laborers in both Lucknow, 75% and Bareilly, 66.67% were aware of government initiatives. Employers to some extent knew about government‘s rehabilitation initiatives. The present research reveals that NGO Pratham makes special efforts to create awareness on the issue. The NGO‘s local team holds awareness rallies and outreach programs every Wednesday, parent-gram pradhan meets to motivate parents to send children to school. In market areas, it posts stickers and phamplets talking about child labor evil. It also motivates and convinces employers through dialogue not to hire children.

Another question asked to respondents was do government and NGOs ensure marginalized children are enrolled in schools? Respondents answers are given in the chart below. Data in the above bar graph shows that respondents in Lucknow and Bareilly were highly aware of the efforts and motivation made by NGOs to enroll children in schools. Government initiatives drew a minimal response.

Data in the above table shows that respondents in Lucknow (69.88%) and Bareilly (65.45%) were unaware of government campaigns. NGO Pratham makes all-out efforts to create awareness on the issue. The NGO sets up child rights protection desk in disadvantaged communities to help and advice on child labor issues and has a tracking program for regular vigilance and tracking of potential child laborers at stations and bus terminals. (Source: Pratham brochures). Secondary sources data reveal ―Urban India is employing an increasing number of children — many under 9 years old — in producing everything from pickles to fireworks, working in tourism and laboring on building sites.‖ [7] The State of Child Workers in India report by UNICEF based on 2011 Indian census data, states proportion of child workers in 5-to-9-year age group jumped to 24.8% from 14.6% in 2001. Despite government efforts to combat the problem, an

and supplement family incomes. In fact, the table given below, the highest jump in terms of percentage is of Uttar Pradesh where child labor increased by 12% to 21%. [8] [Source: The Net.] But there has been decline in total child labor number by 65%. (see graphic) This decrease in number speaks government schemes have been effective to some extent only. [Source: The Net] To find out how NGOs tackle this issue, the following questions were put across.

A question put forth to respondents was did NGOs attempt to tell how bad child labor practice was? The responses are given in the table below.

The question asked to respondents was how did NGOs inform them about this evil. The respondents‘ responses were multiple. (Multiple Response) Data in the above table shows respondents were informed most by word of mouth, in Lucknow 89.16% and in Bareilly 94.55%. By way of education was a close second at Lucknow 71.08% and Bareilly 78.18%. Observations during the present research on Pratham revealed that the NGO makes special efforts to create awareness against child labor issue in the community. The NGO local team stages rallies and one-to-one interaction with community members. The NGO sets up committees like Bal Suraksha Committee, Women‘s group where women are made aware about child welfare and protection and Dakshita samiti comprising children to create awareness about child labor within the community. The NGO also collaborates with government departments like Childline, Child Welfare Committee, Labor Department, Special Juvenile Police Units to tackle child labor problem. (Source: Pratham brochures). NGO/government financial schemes to bail out child labor affected families? The responses given are in the pie chart below. Data in the above pie chart shows respondents in both Lucknow, 89% and Bareilly, 78% were aware of such schemes and campaigns launched by NGOs. The survey also revealed that working child laborers in Lucknow, 100% and in Bareilly, 80%, were highly aware of initiatives taken by NGOs.

The question asked to respondents was did NGOs/government sensitize locals to alert about child labor intensive commercial units. The responses given are in the table below. Data in the above table shows that education and counseling provided through NGOs‘ efforts within the community on the issue bore more fruit. Working child laborers in Bareilly and Lucknow benefited 100% through counseling provided by NGOs.

campaigns launched by NGOs at ground level yield more results when compared to government‘s awareness programs? What the respondents said is in the table below. Data in the above table shows that parents/guardians in Lucknow, 65.71% and Bareilly, 53.57% strongly agreed that campaigns by NGOs showed more effectiveness than government campaigns. Also, respondents strongly agreed in totality that NGOs efforts were far more productive than government‘s.

The present study has used descriptive type of research design. The rationale behind using this research design is to obtain precise and complete information, accurately, about child laborers and the work of non-government organizations in tackling this evil. Hence, to obtain results and arrive at conclusions, a leading NGO, Pratham Council for Vulnerable Children (PCVC) has been profiled for the purpose. The NGO works with vulnerable children to address broader issues of child rights and protection in urban and rural areas.The NGO has been chosen as a case study due to its outreach programs in Uttar Pradesh for vulnerable children in underserved communities. Both primary and secondary sources of data collection have been used. In primary source, interview schedule, observation method and focused interview tools were used. The interview schedule consisted of 15 questions. The questions were both qualitative and quantitative. Secondary sources consisted of already published and unpublished articles from books, journals, magazines and online resources. With help of purposive sampling, 134 respondents were identified. The via medium was PCVC. Of 134 respondents, 32 working child laborers, 32 rehabilitated child laborers, 63 guardians and seven employers were interviewed. Interaction with communities in Lucknow and Bareilly was done.

Om Namah Shivay basti in Gomti Nagar, areas near SRS Mall and Polytechnic Crossing were surveyed. Similarly, in Bareilly, Bahua Bazaar in Nawabganj tehsil and Haldi Khurd in Mirganj tehsil were surveyed. The data was analyzed using Microsoft Word.

It is evident from tables 3 and graph 4 that marginalized child labor affected communities are unaware of government schemes aimed at helping these communities. This shows that such schemes have not shown the desired result as envisaged by policy formulators. This is despite the government having a vast outreach program approach. This does not mean that government campaigns have failed completely. Respondents do say, as shown in table 2, in some cases government efforts have shown results. Yet, a lot has to be achieved.

NGOs have taken a march on efforts to tackle child labor in comparison to government campaigns in both rural and urban areas. This is evident from graph 6 and table 7. In table 7 it is also shown that Pratham sets up tracking programs and help desk to help the child labor affected communities. This shows NGOs try to give all possible assistance to the communities so that this evil practice is combated at its very heart. The government launches campaigns with fanfare but loses steam midway. It is either due to bureaucratic hurdles or official or political apathy. Resultantly, government‘s efforts don‘t make the desired impact as envisioned. Secondary sources show that government has succeeded in lessening number of child laborers in totality. The population census shows that in 1971 the number of child laborers was 10753985. This number came down to 4353247 as shown in 2011 census. Yet, a UNICEF report shows the government has failed to arrest the rising number of child laborers in the 5-9 year age group in urban areas despite these children being literate. The number has risen to 24.8% in 2011 from 14.6% in 2001. Government‘s child laborers in urban areas. NGOs, on the other hand, toil to achieve their end of combating this evil at its grassroots. NGOs hold interactions with parents and the community at large to motivate them to send their children to school. NGOs motivate the communities not to make children laborers. These agencies focus on both socio-cultural and socio-economic factors to combat the problem. Thus we can see NGOs are enbridgement the gaps which were unseen and unnoticed by government and its agencies. It can be concluded from table 8, graph 10 and table 11, working child laborers have benefited largely through the efforts of NGOs. NGOs have made efforts to counsel, motivate, provide financial assistance and make education available within the community. These efforts have paved the way for working child laborers to see a ray of hope for their betterment. As is evident from table 9, parents/guardians have also been enlightened enough by NGOs on the issue of child labor so that they don‘t make their children work and instead send them to school. NGOs‘ approaches have been dynamic in bringing about a visible change at the ground level. NGO Pratham makes special efforts to create awareness on the issue of child labor. The NGO‘s local team holds awareness rallies and outreach programs every Wednesday, parent-gram pradhan meets to motivate parents to send children to school. In market areas, it posts stickers and phamplets talking about child labor evil. It also motivates and convinces employers through dialogue not to hire children. These efforts of NGOs show that they take into account both precautionary and curative measures to combat the evil issue of child labor.

(i) When it comes to the campaign against child labor, it is the NGOs who are in the driver‘s seat. So far to make whole of the journey of campaigns successful, a collaborative, well-coordinated and collective efforts are needed to abolish the problem of child labor in its entirety. (ii) NGOs encompass a holistic approach toward tackling child labor, both in terms of precautionary and curative measures. This wholesome approach comprises taking into account of social, cultural, political, (iii) The recognition given to NGOs for their exemplary work on child labor shows their strengthening commitment in withering the problem of child labor.

(i) R. Sooryamoorthy and K.D. Gangrade, ―NGOs in India A Cross-Sectional Study‖, 2006, Rawat Publications, Prologue, PP 1-4. (ii) Asha Bajpai, ―Child Rights in India Law, policy and Practice‖. Seventh impression 2014, Oxford University Press. (iii) Gurchathen S. Sanghera, ―Child Labor in India Globalization, Power and the Politics of International Children‘s Rights‖, 2016, Oxford University Press. (iv) Ram Ahuja, ―Social Problems in India‖, Third Edition, 2014, Rawat Publications.

[1] https://www.ilo.org/ipec/facts/lang--en/index.htm [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC3705696/ [3] http://haqcrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/child-labour-in-india-a-situational-analysis-by-haq-centre-for-child-rights.pdf [4] https://www.ngoadvisor.net/ong/kiss [5] https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Action/CSR/lang--en/index.htm [6] Businees_fight_Child_Labour_EN_ 20131025_Web [7] https://www.voanews.com/a/child-labor-rising-sharply-india-cities/3756072.html [8] http://www.ijcrm.com/publish_article/edition_ 5/B0150717.pdf

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Institute of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, Barabanki (U.P.) India bhavna.wal@gmail.com