The Indian government yesterday banned children under 14 from working in homes, hotels and restaurants, aware that the country's image suffers while its young are employed by middle-class families and businesses.
The tightening of the labour law aims to relieve 250,000 children of backbreaking work across India. Employers who violate the law face up to a year in prison or a fine of 10,000 rupees (£120), or both. But campaigners say this is at best a tiny step forward as child labour remains widespread in India. The central government's statistics show more than 16 million children aged between five and 14 work. The World Bank says the figure is closer to 45 million. |