Latest modern slavery fight updates - FreedomUnited.org

India Agrees to Global Pacts to End Child Slavery

  • Published on
    June 13, 2017
  • News Source Image
  • Category:
    Child Slavery, Law & Policy
Hero Banner

India has ratified two significant global agreements to fight child slavery, and thus committed the country to better international labor standards regarding employment of children.  These laws will also subject the country to more scrutiny by other nations.

India’s census found there were more than four million laborers aged between five and 14 in 2011 out of 168 million globally, but activists say millions more are at risk due to poverty. Indian Minister of Labor Bandaru Dattatreya said in statement the ratification reaffirmed the country’s “commitment to a child labor free society.” The International Labor Organization’s Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labor and the Minimum Age Convention form the bedrock of global guidelines for countries to legislate nationally.

The new agreements, which specify a minimum age of work and prohibit using minors in areas like armed conflict, prostitution, or drug trafficking, will lead nations to adopt the standards and to be reviewed every four years.

Previous governments resisted the ratification, because there was such a denial of Indian child labor.  Nobel Laureate and activist Kailash Satyarthi refers to the ratifications as a paradigm shift. “For years, India was saying we don’t have child slavery and was hesitant to admit the worst forms of child labor exist here, but now this government has agreed that this is a problem and that is why we are ratifying the conventions.”

He added that it would mean more government spending on children and would provide better, stronger tools for charities that advocate for children. India has one of largest populations of children in the world, with more than 40 percent of its 1.2 billion people below the age of 18, according to its 2011 census.

Subscribe

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

This week

Advocacy groups successfully stall Shein U.K. IPO

Britain's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is taking longer than usual to approve Shein’s London IPO due to concerns raised by the advocacy group Stop Uyghur Genocide (SUG) regarding alleged links between Shein’s supply chain and forced labor in the Uyghur Region. Sources close to the matter suggest the FCA is reviewing the company's oversight and preparing for potential legal challenges, including a judicial review application. The global fast

| Thursday December 12, 2024

Read more