According to the statistics given by Indian government there are 20 million child laborers in the country, while other agencies claim that it is 50 million

The situation of child laborers in India is desperate. Children work for eight hours at a stretch with only a small break for meals.Seventy five percent of Indian population still resides in rural areas and are very poor. Parents sacrifice their children’s education to the growing needs of their younger siblings in such families and view them as wage earners for the entire clan.

Multinational Corporations Reap Profits from Child Labor in India's Cottonseed Farms -

NEW DELHI - A new report says an estimated 12,375 children continue to work under terrible conditions on cottonseed farms in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh which supply their produce to multinational corporations (MNCs) like Bayer and Monsanto, in defiance of last year's promises to eradicate child labor.

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India accounts for the second highest number where child labour in the world is concerned. Africa accounts for the highest number of children employed and exploited.

According to researchers there are about 50,000 children employed in the brass industry of India and around the same amount in the lock industry.

According to a recent report by the ILO almost 4,20,000 children are employed in the carpet industry of India.

Here is a look at the various labour activities involving children, across the length and breadth of India…

Bonded Child Labour :
This is also known as slave labour and is one of the worst types of labour for children and adults, alike. In fact, in 1976 the Indian Parliament enacted the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act; herein declaring bonded illegal. However, the fact remains is that this system of working still continues. According to certain experts approximately 10 million bonded children labourers are working as domestic servants in India. Beyond this there are almost 55 million bonded child labourers hired across various other industries.

Child Labour in The Agricultural Sector :
According to a recent ILO report about 80% child labourers in India are employed in the agriculture sector. The children are generally sold to the rich moneylenders to whom borrowed money cannot be returned.

Street Children :
Children on the streets work as beggars, they sell flowers and other items, instead of being sent to school. They go hungry for days to gather. In fact, they are starved so that people feel sorry for them and give them alms.

Children Employed At Glass Factories :
According to recent estimates almost 60,000 children are employed in the glass and bangle industry and are made to work under extreme conditions of excessive heat.

Child Labour in Matchbox Factories :
Of the 2,00,000 labour force in the matchbox industry, experts claim that 35% are children below the age of 14. They are made to work over twelve hours a day, beginning work at around 4 am, everyday.