Improve conditions of child labour

They sweep, they swab, they wash, they cook, they take care of our children and our pets, they look after our elderly. We see them every day. Yet they are invisible. Yes, millions of women, men and children - India's large force of domestic workers, or 'servants', as most people call them - remain unseen, undervalued and denied rights that all workers deserve. While it is accepted that children should be studying rather than working, but the harsh reality remains that it is not so easily possible to take children from their workplace and make them sit in some school.

Educational infrastructure, social willpower, lack of awareness, exploitation by employers, lack of interest on children's part, financial problems, lack of state help, etc. remain the blocking issues. While we cannot immediately push for compulsory education for each and every child, we should at least ensure that children who are employed as workers are not harassed or exploited.

We must ensure that they receive equal wages, job benefits if any, and some leisure time. Also working children may be made aware of the importance of education and coerced to go to night school. This way they can earn their livelihood without sacrificing basic education.