Question

What is the distinct approach adopted under Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act?

• A. Complete prohibition
• B. Rehabilitation and education support
• C. Gradual phase out from child labor
• D. Economic compensation

Hint:

Remember that the 2016 amendment to the Child Labour Act was a game-changer. It shifted the focus from merely 'regulating' child labor to 'prohibiting' it and linking this prohibition with the fundamental Right to Education.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, was significantly amended in 2016. The amended Act, now called the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, adopts a more stringent and holistic approach towards child labor.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the approach of the amended Act:

(A) Complete prohibition: The Act imposes a complete prohibition on the employment of children below 14 years in all occupations and processes. It also prohibits the employment of adolescents (14-18 years) in hazardous occupations. So, while prohibition is a key part, it's not the only part of the approach.
(B) Rehabilitation and education support: This is the most distinct and comprehensive approach of the current law. The amended Act links the prohibition of child labor directly with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. It also provides for a Child and Adolescent Labour Rehabilitation Fund. The focus is not just on removing the child from work but ensuring their rehabilitation through education.
(C) Gradual phase out from child labor: This was the approach of the older, unamended Act, which only prohibited child labor in certain industries and regulated it in others. The new law has moved away from this towards a more complete prohibition.
(D) Economic compensation: The Act focuses on penalties for employers and rehabilitation for the child, not direct economic compensation as the primary strategy.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The distinct approach of the current law is the strong link between the prohibition of child labor and the simultaneous provision of rehabilitation and education support, ensuring the child's right to education is protected.