Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday, 12 June marked World Day Against Child Labour by reaffirming the government's commitment to every child's right to a safe childhood and quality education, urging that children belong in classrooms, not workplaces.

In a post on X, Rekha Gupta wrote: 'विश्व बाल श्रम निषेध दिवस पर हम हर बच्चे के सुरक्षित बचपन और शिक्षा के अधिकार के प्रति अपने संकल्प को दोहराते हैं' — 'On World Day Against Child Labour, we reiterate our resolve for every child's safe childhood and right to education.' She added that children's rightful place is in schools, not in labour, and that building a strong nation is possible only by providing the young with a better future and quality education.

Context

World Day Against Child Labour is observed every year on 12 June, an annual global observance initiated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2002 to spotlight and eliminate child labour worldwide. The day draws statements from governments, civil society, and international bodies renewing their commitment to protecting children from economic exploitation. Delhi, as the national capital, has been a visible platform for such commitments by successive administrations.

Policy Backdrop

India's legislative framework against child labour has been built over decades. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 first banned child work in listed hazardous occupations, and a landmark 2016 amendment extended the prohibition to all employment of children under 14 years and hazardous work under 18 years. In 2017, India ratified two key ILO conventions — the Minimum Age Convention (No. 138) and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182) — signalling its international commitment.

At the constitutional level, Articles 21A and 24 of the Indian Constitution guarantee the right to free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years and prohibit their employment in factories and hazardous settings. The National Child Labour Project (NCLP), a central government scheme, supports identification, withdrawal, and rehabilitation of child labourers through education and skill training. India's approach also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 8.7, which calls for ending all forms of child labour.

Stakeholders and Impact

The statement from Rekha Gupta speaks directly to two groups: the millions of school-going children whose access to education must be protected, and the working children who remain outside the schooling system. According to policy researchers, child labour persists most in informal sectors, agriculture, and domestic work — areas where enforcement remains a challenge.

For Delhi, a densely populated urban territory with significant migrant labour communities, the issue carries particular weight. Children of migrant workers are among the most vulnerable to being pulled into labour rather than enrolled in school. State-level implementation of the NCLP and coordination with municipal bodies and NGOs are critical to translating such public commitments into on-ground outcomes.

What's Next

Observers and child rights advocates will watch for concrete follow-through — including state-level action plans, inspection drives, and enrolment campaigns — that translate the 12 June reaffirmation into measurable results. Periodic surveys on child labour prevalence and implementation reports under the National Child Labour Project will be key indicators of progress. The broader push to achieve SDG 8.7 means that annual observances like this carry increasing accountability weight for state governments across India.