UPSC Prelims 2018 Q30: Indian Economy – Human Development, Poverty & Employment Schemes
- (a) Child labour
- (b) Adaptation of agricultural practices to global climate change
- (c) Regulation of food prices and food security
- (d) Gender parity at the workplace
Answer: (a) Child labour
Explanation
ILO Conventions 138 and 182
| Convention | Subject | Year |
|---|---|---|
| ILO Convention 138 | Minimum Age for Admission to Employment | 1973 |
| ILO Convention 182 | Prohibition and Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour | 1999 |
Both are part of ILO's eight Fundamental Conventions (core labour standards) and both target child labour - Convention 138 sets the minimum working age (generally 15, or 14 for developing countries), while Convention 182 targets the worst forms (slavery, trafficking, hazardous work).
India ratified BOTH conventions on 13 June 2017, becoming the 170th ILO member to ratify Convention 138 and the 181st to ratify Convention 182.
Answer: (a) Child labour.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Both Convention 138 (minimum working age) and Convention 182 (worst forms) target child labour.
- (b) Incorrect. Agricultural climate adaptation is a UNFCCC / FAO topic, not an ILO Convention theme.
- (c) Incorrect. Food price regulation is a FAO / WFP domain.
- (d) Incorrect. Gender parity conventions include ILO 100 (equal remuneration) and 111 (discrimination), not 138/182.
Key point
ILO's 8 Fundamental Conventions: 29 & 105 (forced labour), 87 & 98 (freedom of association, collective bargaining), 100 & 111 (equal pay, non-discrimination), 138 & 182 (child labour). India ratified 138 & 182 in June 2017.
Remember
ILO Conventions 138 (Minimum Age for Employment, 1973) and 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999) both address child labour. Along with six others on forced labour, freedom of association and discrimination, they form ILO's eight Fundamental Conventions. India ratified both conventions on 13 June 2017.
Common mistakes
- Confusing ILO Conventions on child labour (138, 182) with equal-remuneration conventions (100, 111).
- Assuming India refused to ratify child labour conventions - India ratified both in 2017.
- Forgetting that Convention 138 sets a minimum age while 182 targets worst forms - they are complementary.
Exam tip
ILO's 8 core conventions checklist: Forced labour (29/105), Freedom of association (87/98), Discrimination and equal pay (100/111), Child labour (138/182). Any question about ILO 138 or 182 = child labour.
Sources
- ILO - Fundamental Conventions List (ilo.org)
- PIB India - India Ratifies ILO Conventions 138 and 182 (June 2017)