After a prolonged wait and the constant push by the child rights groups, the Union Cabinet recently gave its approval to banning all kinds of child labour under the age of 14 years. The set of proposed amendments, however, are not full proof. One of the proposed amendments allows the employment of children below 14 years in family enterprises, audio-visual entertainment industry and sports industry except circus on condition that such work does not interfere with their education. Through the amendment the government has failed to recognise that these industries can be equally exploitative and oppressive. The move to allow children to work in family enterprises is also problematic as it moves to a space which is extremely difficult to regulate.
