ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on human rights and child labor in developing societies. It examines the issues on India where child labor is a deeply entrenched social and economic problem. The issues are: Does child labor constitute a violation of human rights?; What is unique about child labor in India form the human rights perspective?; How has the government of India addressed the issue of children's rights violations and child labor?; Does Legislation Work?; The role of International Agencies and NGOs in addressing child labor; Analysis and Assessment of the Limits of Legislation and relevance of an integrated approach. A child's right to adequate schooling and the need to address child labor have been recognized in Europe since the 19th century. This, compounded by the suffering of the children in the First World War prompted the League of Nations to initiate an international agreement to protect the rights of the child. After the Second World War, this awareness increased.
