Figures available with the International Labour Organisation show that a shocking 13 million children are employed in the tourism sector in India, which is illegal.
Although the laws of the land have banned child labour, this problem is rampant in the tourism sector and seems to be on the rise. ILO officials say the problem of child labour is growing as rapidly as the tourism sector is.
Children working in the tourism sector are exposed to risks of sexual exploitation and abuse and this is largely due to the exposure with the strangers. Most of these children are engaged as bell boys, helpers and cleaners in dhabas and hotels, postcard vendors, baggage attendants and laundry helpers.
There are also several children involved in selling goodies and flowers near historic monuments and other places of interest. Out of the 13 million children employed in the tourism sector, 6.5 million children are below the age of 12 years while the remaining are between the age group of 12 and 14.
The law mandates that children below the age of 14 are not to be employed. The ILO says that these children apart from being exposed to the risk of being sexually abused also becoming victims of human trafficking.
Statistics would show that at least 6,000 cases of human trafficking have been reported in the past one year. Officials say that there is a need for both the labour department and the police department to work in tandem to eradicate this problem.
While the official figure states that there are 13 million children who work in the tourism sector, NGOs feel that this figure is too low.
A recent survey conducted by a group of NGOs puts the figure at 60 million. Says Veena Sheshadri, a social worker, "The government will not achieve anything by downplaying the figures. There is a need to act on this issue before the situation goes out of hand."
There are several laws in India which were introduced to curb the evils of child labour.
Through a notification dated May 26, 1993, the working conditions of children had been regulated in all employment which were not prohibited under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
Following up on a preliminary notification issued on October 5, 1993, the government had also prohibited employment of children in occupation processes like abattoirs/slaughter houses, printing, cashewnut descaling and processing, tourism sector and soldering.
This act stated that children below the age of 14 should not be employed. Although the laws are there in place, the problem lies with its proper implementation.
Says, Mohan Krishnamurthy, an expert on Child Labour Laws, "The implementation of these laws have been tardy which in turn ruins its very spirit. The government and the NGOs have to do more to ensure that the laws are enforced. It is not enough that we just talk about it. Incentives could be given to employers not employing children. For instance a tax rebate could be announced for those persons who do not employ children," he added.
