Department of Pediatrics, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, India. Correspondence to: Dr Rajendra N Srivastava, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, India.
Indian Pediatr. 2019 Aug 15;56(8):633-638.
There is a large child work force in India reported to be about 40 million. Child labor is being regarded as a form of modern slavery, as children are forced to work or have no choice to refuse work. Children are employed in a variety of occupations, many of which are hazardous. Exposure to machinery, pesticides, dust in agricultural work and fumes, chemicals, acids, cotton and wool fiber in other forms of work is detrimental to health. A large number are held in bonded servitude. In urban areas, children are employed as domestic helpers and engaged in eateries and auto-repair work. Trafficking and trading of children for work and sexual slavery are also major concerns. Poverty and illiteracy are root causes of child labor, but iniquitous societal attitudes are responsible for abuse and exploitation. Working children are deprived of proper health care and education, and lose their childhood and dignity. Several legal measures exist to prevent child labor and protect them from harm, but are thwarted by the distressing socioeconomic conditions. Although child labor would be difficult to abolish, exploitation can be prevented with concerted efforts of the government agencies, professional bodies and the civil society.
印度据称有庞大的童工劳动力，约为 4000 万。童工被视为现代奴隶制的一种形式，因为儿童被迫工作或别无选择只能拒绝工作。儿童从事各种职业，其中许多是危险的。在农业工作中接触机械、农药、灰尘和烟雾，以及在其他形式的工作中接触化学品、酸、棉花和羊毛纤维，都对健康有害。大量儿童被束缚在奴役中。在城市地区，儿童被雇为家庭佣工，并从事餐馆和汽车修理工作。儿童的贩卖和交易，以及性奴役也是主要的关注点。贫困和文盲是童工的根源，但不平等的社会态度导致了虐待和剥削。童工被剥夺了适当的医疗保健和教育，失去了童年和尊严。虽然很难废除童工，但通过政府机构、专业团体和民间社会的共同努力，可以防止剥削。
