CHILD LABOR IN INDIA AND INDIANCOMPANIES: IS THERE A CASE FOR EXTENDED

RESPONSIBILITY?

This case study can be used to reflect the extended responsibilities of HR departments in thecase of child labor. Especially in a country like India, where nearly 4.5 million children (accordingto 2011 census) are reportedly employed, what would this mean for the demographic dividend?Also with Kailash Satyarthi winning the Nobel Peace Prize (for 2014) for his campaigns againstchild labor, the simmering problem seems to have assumed a global dimension. Can Indiancompanies and their HR departments play a proactive role to abate the prevalence and occurrenceof child labor through their intent and involvement? Two young HR recruits (Mitali Roy andManika Arora) grapple with their ethical dilemmas.

Pedagogical Objectives

• To discuss and debate on the extended responsibilities of HR departments in the case ofchild labor

• To examine the ethical connotations for specific child labor related organizational instances

• To understand the extent of instances and intensity of the prevalence of child labor in Indiaand discuss on the measures taken thus far and further measures to be taken

Positioning/Case Setting

This case study can be used for either of the following modules/topics in the Human ResourceManagement Course:

• Labor Laws in India – To understand the Labor Laws (Factories Act, 1948, etc.) in Indiaand how companies exploit workers by non-compliance of laws

• Child Labor and Constitutional Provisions in India – To understand the provisions of thelaw related to child labor (prohibiting child labor and provision of programs for theireducation and development)

• Ethics and Role of HR Departments in Companies – To understand the need for companiesto behave ethically and prohibit using child labor anywhere in their supply chain and theextended role of HR departments in achieving the same

ABSTRACT

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