CHILD LABOUR AND SUPPLY CHAIN ACCOUNTABILITY: A CRITICAL LEGAL ANALYSIS OF CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY IN INDIA

Abstract

Child labour in India has increasingly shifted from visible, organized sectors to hidden, informal supply chains linked with domestic industries and global markets. While legislative frameworks focus primarily on prohibition and rehabilitation, the role of corporate entities in perpetuating or preventing child labour remains underexplored. This research paper critically examines the concept of supply chain accountability and corporate responsibility in the context of child labour in India. It analyses domestic legal provisions, international standards, and emerging corporate governance practices. The study argues that without imposing binding obligations on corporations to monitor and regulate their supply chains, the eradication of child labour will remain incomplete. The paper concludes by recommending stronger due diligence laws, transparency mechanisms, and integration of corporate accountability within the existing legal framework.