Right against Exploitation Article 23 and 24

Article 23: Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour Traffic in human beings and beggar and other similar forms of forced labour are prohibited and any contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law. Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from imposing compulsory service for public purposes, and in imposing such service the State shall not make any discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste or class or any of them.

Article 23: Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour So, the constitution declares three evils as illegal: Traffic in human beings: Traffic means selling and buying of human beings for immoral purposes. Forced labour: Where the worker is forced to render services to master free of charge or at a nominal remuneration. When this takes place for life long, it is called bonded labour. Beggar: Beggar is a form of forced labour.

Government also passed various laws to effectively implement this clause and protect individuals from these inhumane activities: Minimum Wages Act, 1948 The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 Bonded Labour Abolition Act, 1976 Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

Types of Human Trafficking Forced Labour Slavery Forced Child Labour Sex Human Trafficking Illegal Organ Donation

. Article 24: Prohibition of employment of children in factories etc No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment. In an environment of poverty, children are often forced to work to earn a living. Employers also find it easy to hire child labour and that too at a cheap price. But children so employed do not get opportunities for development.  For protection of children, the Parliament has also passed the Child Labour Act (1986). According to this act the employers of child labour would be charged penalties and the affected children would be given relief and rehabilitation amenities.

. Article 24: Prohibition of employment of children in factories etc Various other steps taken by government of India for abolition of child labour were: In 1996, Supreme Court directed government for establishment of Child Labour Rehabilitation Welfare Fund. Every offending employer shall be fined with Rs 20000 for each child labour employed by him. This amount would be used for the rehabilitation of the effected children. In 2005, National/State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Children courts were established for speedy trial of offences against children or of violation of child rights. In 2006, government completely banned the employment of children below 14 years in other areas (other than the hazardous work) also, like: Domestic worker, Servant in hotels, shops, restaurants etc. All such employer shall be liable for prosecution and penal action.

. Article 24: Prohibition of employment of children in factories etc Various other steps taken by government of India for abolition of child labour were: In 1996, Supreme Court directed government for establishment of Child Labour Rehabilitation Welfare Fund. Every offending employer shall be fined with Rs 20000 for each child labour employed by him. This amount would be used for the rehabilitation of the effected children. In 2005, National/State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Children courts were established for speedy trial of offences against children or of violation of child rights. In 2006, government completely banned the employment of children below 14 years in other areas (other than the hazardous work) also, like: Domestic worker, Servant in hotels, shops, restaurants etc. All such employer shall be liable for prosecution and penal action.

. Article 24: Prohibition of employment of children in factories etc By the efforts of government, the number of child labour has decreased. As per the records of Ministry of Labour and Employment, the number of child labour has reduced drastically from 1,26,66,377 in the previous census (2001) to 43,53,247 in the recent census (2011). The number of child labour recorded in the recent census (2011) is depicted below in Figure 1.6.2. As per the census data, highest number of child labourer is in Uttar Pradesh, which is 8,96,301 and the lowest number is in Lakshadweep.