CHILD RIGHTS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN INDIA: A CRITIQUE

Abstract

In the words of Mr. V Sashikumar, general secretary of the Construction Workers Federation of India (CWFI), there are 6 crore construction workers in India. Only 3.5 crore of them are registered with Welfare Boards. All these unregistered and even many of those who are registered, do not get benefit of all welfare schemes. Majority of construction workers and their families are languishing in poverty with no or very limited access to basic necessities like nutritious food, healthcare facility, potable water etc. This has adverse impact on the growth and development of children of construction workers. Often it results in blatant violation of human rights of children. Recent on foot migration of thousands of workers alongwith their children (on account of hasty and sudden lockdown) to their hometown due to lack of food and money is an example of how their rights are neglected. This research paper is an attempt to critically analyse the law in India on prevention of child labour and offering welfare measures to the construction workers and their children’s. It also contains an analysis of judicial trend on rights of children’s in construction industry. Author has also suggested many reforms in current legal and administrative framework for improved protection of rights of children’s of construction workers. KEY WORDS: Construction, Workers, Children, Rights, Welfare