NEW DELHI, 9 October 2006 — With the ban on child labor coming into force from tomorrow, it also means the loss of earning for 130 million children working various low-paying jobs in India.

The Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act bars children of less than 14 years from working as domestic help or servants at roadside eateries and in other nonhazardous jobs.

Paradoxically, with important festivals being around the corner (Eid for Muslims, Diwali for Hindus), when these working children look forward to some joyous celebrations, such is not going to be the case this year.

The majority are wondering as to whether they would really have to quit their jobs. And if they have to, how would they pitch in to help feed and clothe their family members.

The little they have saved can take care for a few days but after that where would their next meals come from? This and other such big questions are already spelling tense moments for young, working children.

As per the notification recently issued by the Indian Labor Ministry, anyone employing children as domestic help would be liable to prosecution and other penal action, including fine and a jail term.

Speculations, however, have also been voiced that a ban on child labor without a proper rehabilitation plan will backfire.

There is a separate law banning the employment of children in factories, mines and for hazardous work.

India has the largest number of working children, 17 percent are under the age of 15 and girls aged 12-15 are the preferred choice of 90 percent households, according to the UNICEF report, World’s Children 2006.

A technical advisory committee on child labor recommended banning employment of children as domestic help as in these occupations they were being subjected to physical violence, psychological traumas and even sexual abuse.

The committee said that such incidents go unnoticed as they take place in closed confines of households, eateries and restaurants.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court issued notices to the federal government, the states and union territories seeking a complete ban on child labor.

Despite the recent notification carrying penalties, ranging from a prison term of up to two years and/or a fine of up to Rs. 20,000, activists think that it will be confined to paper unless “serious” action is taken to ensure its implementation.

“This new rule is a piece of paper, which has no meaning unless translated into serious action,” according to activist Bhuwan Ribhu of Save the Childhood Foundation. Accepting that sudden changes were impossible, Labor Ministry spokesperson M.L. Dhar said: “The government cannot go door-to-door. We can’t post a policeman at every house. Some mechanism will evolve automatically.” In filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt’s opinion, just law is not enough to end child labor.

He said: “I think it’s an issue we have pushed under the carpet too long but finally I am glad the government has the audacity to bring in the law but the law is not enough unless every home is sensitized.” Several activists plan to take to roads to spread their message.

“We have started our campaign against child labor and as part of it, we will be taking out a campaign on wheels starting from New Delhi to Bombay and as part of it we will put up street plays and the like to spread awareness about the evil of child labor,” said Kailash Satyarthi, founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Movement).

Yet, with the working children coming from poor rural and urban classes, when confronted with the dilemma of facing an uncertain future, they asked: “Where will my meal come from? Who will buy medicines for my ailing family members? …”