A huge rift on child labor and smuggling networks, Telangana, Bihar and Rajasthan have emerged as top three states in India for prevention of child labor and also showed a study by a network working in the field of child rights, for the number of arrests in child labor related matters in 2024-25.
Out of 53,651 children, nationwide saved by a network of over 250 non -governmental organizations, Rajasthan was responsible for many as 3,847 child labor rescue, while Telangana topped the list with Bihar with 3,974 rescues in the list with 11,063 rescue. JRC said on Monday, the Network, Just Rights for Children (JRC), led to 38,889 rescue operations in 24 states and 38,889 rescue operations in center areas in coordination with law enforcement agencies.
The report shows even more disturbing trends: Nearly 90 percent of the children rescued across India were found working in areas classified as the worst forms of children’s labor – including spa, massage parlor and orchestra – where children are subjected to prostitution, pornography and other forms of sexual exploitation. Conclusion “Building the Case for Zero: How Prosiction serves as a tipping point to and child labor, titled, titled, has been titled, JRC Partner India Child Protection’s Research Wing Center for Legal Action and Behavior Change (C-LAB).
The report further stated that after the raid, 38,388 FIRs were registered and 5,809 arrests were made, of which 85 percent were related to child labor. Telangana rescued 11,063 children, followed by Bihar (3,974), Rajasthan (3,847), Uttar Pradesh (3,804), and Delhi (2,588). A total of 5,809 persons were arrested, 85 percent of them in child labor – related cases. The report stated that Telangana, Bihar and Rajasthan reported the highest arrest, while states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were highly arrested despite high rescue numbers – highlights at enforcement intervals, the report said in the report.
Given the severity of the situation, the report recommends starting a national mission to eliminate child labor, allocating adequate resources for this and creating a district-level child labor work force. The report, which is based on the data of rescue operations done by the country’s largest NGO network working for child protection, is from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.
Expressing concern over the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labor recognized for the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Government of India, Ravi Kant, National Convenor, only for children, said: “The fact that such a large number of children were engaged in the worst forms of labor, despite the efforts of the government and civil society, to end all the dangerous forms of our national society.
He further said: “This report establishes that legal action creates fear of law in public mind, which acts as a preventive against child labor. Justice for children trapped in the worst forms of child labor will be obtained only when criminals are punished and strong mechanisms should be prepared for the protection and rehabilitation of victims.
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The report also emphasized legal action, education and rehabilitation for the eradication of child labor and many recommendations. It said that until strict legal action is taken against the criminals, it will be difficult to curb child labor. Also, if there is no system of education and rehabilitation of children saved, they will return to the vicious cycle of child labor. Therefore, a child labor rehabilitation fund is required.
In addition, ensuring free and compulsory education for 18 years will help prevent child labor, as children who leave school are more likely to get caught in exploitative labor, stated in the report. The report asks for comprehensive policy changes, a zero-optional policy on the use of child labor in government procurement, expansion of the list of dangerous industries, expansion of state-specific child labor policies, SDG extends the deadline of 8.7 to 2030, and take strict legal action against criminals.
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