Timely action imperative

An unsettling reality continues to plague the social fabric of Kashmir, i.e. child labour. Despite constitutional safeguards and international conventions, the sight of young children toiling in workshops or roadside stalls remains all too common. This grim reality calls for not just concern but urgent and sustained action. Child labour in Kashmir is not merely a result of poverty, though poverty is a significant factor. The disruption in education and weakened social institutions are making children more vulnerable to exploitation. In many households, the loss of a breadwinner or the absence of steady income forces children to drop out of school and work to support their families. What makes the issue even more concerning is the normalization of child labour. In rural areas and even urban pockets, the presence of children in the workforce is often overlooked or accepted as a necessary evil. This passive acceptance has emboldened employers to continue hiring underage workers, often at meagre wages, with no regard for their rights or development. However, child labour is not only a violation of human rights; it is also a deep betrayal of our collective future. Children who should be in classrooms, dreaming, learning, and growing, are instead being denied their childhoods and the chance to break the cycle of poverty. The government has indeed taken legislative steps as the laws exist that prohibit child labour and mandate free, compulsory education up to the age of 14. But enforcement remains inconsistent and, at times, nonexistent. Therefore, what needs to be done is to ensure there is a lackadaisical approach in curbing such practices so that the child, which is seemingly becoming a norm, will be curbed at the right time. The society in particular needs to its extend compete support to the concerned authorities and make sure that the child labour is not encouraged at any cost.