Educational and Health Status of Child Labourers in the Unorganised Sector After COVID-19
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe social and economic disruption across India, disproportionately affecting children from economically vulnerable households. Child labourers working in the unorganised sector were among the most affected groups because they faced loss of educational opportunities, increased economic pressure, occupational hazards and inadequate access to healthcare. The closure of schools, prolonged interruption of classroom education, digital inequality, unemployment among adults and migration contributed to children's increased vulnerability to labour and school dropout. At the same time, children engaged in informal employment frequently experience malnutrition, physical injuries, fatigue, exposure to hazardous substances and psychological stress. This research paper examines the educational and health status of child labourers in India's unorganised sector after COVID-19. It discusses the major factors responsible for their vulnerability, the consequences for education and health, and the role of government policies and social-protection programmes. The paper argues that addressing child labour requires an integrated approach involving educational rehabilitation, healthcare, nutritional support, family livelihood assistance and effective implementation of child-protection legislation
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References
International Labour Organization (ILO) & UNICEF. *Child Labour: Global Estimates 2020, Trends and the Road Forward*. Geneva: ILO, 2021.
International Labour Organization. *COVID-19 and Child Labour: A Time of Crisis, a Time to Act*. Geneva: ILO, 2020.
UNICEF. *COVID-19: Children at Increased Risk of Child Labour*. United Nations Children's Fund.
Government of India. *Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986*, as amended in 2016.
Government of India. *Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009*.
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. Reports and materials relating to child labour and its rehabilitation.
Ministry of Education, Government of India. Reports and publications concerning school education, learning loss and educational access during and after COVID-19.
UNICEF India. Reports and publications on children, education, social protection and the impact of COVID-19 in India.
Suggested Structure for an Empirical Version
If this is being submitted as a **college research project**, the paper can be strengthened by adding primary research. A suitable sample could include **50–100 child labourers or formerly working children**, subject to appropriate ethical safeguards and permissions. Data could be collected through structured questionnaires and interviews with parents, teachers, social workers and child-protection officials.
Key variables could include:
Educational indicators Health indicators
School enrolment
Nutritional status
Attendance Frequency of illness
Dropout status
Occupational injuries
Learning level Working hours
Access to digital education Sleep/rest
Hours spent studying Mental well-being
Reasons for leaving school
Access to healthcare