SYLLABUS SECTION: GS II (VULNERABLE SECTIONS)

WHY IN THE NEWS?

A recent study reveals that Child artists work below the age of 15 in the entertainment industry in India, work for more than 12 hours a day.

Casting agencies are violating The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (CALPRA) which prohibits the engagement of children in all occupations.

In 2019, India’s Media and Entertainment industries are valued at ₹1.67 trillion.
Children (up to 15 years of age) make up nearly 30% share of impressions, as per the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries.
There are no precise statistics available on the estimate of child artists in the country.
A sample of seven casting agencies that contained a total of 41,392 profiles of artists online (across India), suggested:
9% of profiles were classified as child actors (i.e., under the age of 15).
Nearly 3,752 profiles of female child actors are lists on these casting agency portals, and 4,642 profiles of male child actors.
The portal search also suggests that 8.7% of all male actors are child actors, and 15.7% of all female actors are under the age of 18, the study reveals.
The work shift stretches to 1213 hours six days a week by production houses because guardians often do not interfere in the scheduling.
Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) have come across cases where parents have also discontinued the formal education of child artists.

No child shall be allow to work for more than five hours in a day, and for not more than three hours without rest.
This act was amenden in the year 2016 and by section 3 of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016, the nomenclature of the Act has been substitute for “the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.

This act prohibits the engagement of children below the age of 14 in all occupations and also prohibits the engagement of adolescents in hazardous occupations and processes and the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
However, it excludes a section of toiling children in the unorganized sectors including agriculture as well as household work.
The Government of India will provide stricter punishments for employers who violate the Act.
It made the employer employing any child or adolescent in contravention of the Act cognizable.
The act says that children can only work after school hours or during holidays and that children are allow to work in family-owned secure sectors.
However, no child is permitt to work between 7 pm and 8 am.
Children are also not allow to work overtime.
An establishment must provide a holiday of one whole day each week to every child to get a employment.
At least 20% of the income earn by the child from the production or event ( in the case of the entertainment industry) is to be directly deposit in a fix deposit account in a nationalize bank in the name of the child which may be credits to her/him on attaining majority.
The study states the money is being utilize completely by the families

· It was establish in the year 1958 and was named CINE ARTISTES’ ASSOCIATION.

· In 1997the name was change to CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes’ Association).

· It is govern by an elect executive committee that works on an honorary basis.

· CINTAA is an autonomous body register under the Indian Trade Union Act.

Source: The Hindu