CHILD LABOUR:AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

ANANYA BHATTA - 230301120428

AKRITI SAHA - 230301120430

PRITIKANA GHOSH - 230301120432

SAHANA AKHTAR -230301230016

 TABLE OF CONTENTS:-
1.INTRODUCTION

2.ECONOMIC CAUSES OF CHILD LABOUR

3.CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

4 . I M PA C T O F C H I L D L A B O U R O N E C O N O M I C G R O W T H

5 . I N T E R N AT I O N A L L A B O U R S TA N D A R D S O N C H I L D

LABOUR

6.CASE STUDIES

7 . E C O N O M I C P O L I C I E S A N D I N T E RV E N T I O N S

8 . T H E E VO L U T I O N O F C H I L D L A B O U R L AW S

9 . C H A L L E N G E S I N E R A D I C AT I N G C H I L D L A B O U R

10.GOVERNMENT ACTION AGAINST CHILD LABOUR

11 . C O N C L U S I O N
 INTRODUCTION:-
C h i l d l a b o u r re f e r s t o t h e e x p l o i t a t i o n o f c h i l d re n f o r e c o n o m i c

gain, depriving them of their childhood, education, and

p o t e n t i a l . I t i s a g l o b a l i s s u e t h a t a f f e c t s m i l l i o n s o f c h i l d re n

w o r l d w i d e , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n d e v e l o p i n g c o u n t r i e s w h e re p o v e r t y

a n d l a c k o f e d u c a t i o n a re p re v a l e n t . C h i l d l a b o u r t a k e s m a n y

f o r m s , i n c l u d i n g w o r k i n g i n h a z a r d o u s e n v i ro n m e n t s , l o n g

h o u r s , a n d l o w p a y. I t i s a v i o l a t i o n o f c h i l d re n ' s r i g h t s a n d a

hindrance to their development and well-being.

 ECONOMIC CAUSES OF CHILD LABOUR:-

• Poverty and lack of access to education,

forcing children to work to support their
families.

• Demand for cheap labour, leading

employers to exploit child workers who are
willing to work for lower wages than adults.

• Lack of government regulation and

enforcement, allowing businesses to hire
child workers without consequences.
 CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES:-

 Delve into the intricate relationship between

poverty and child labour, highlighting the cyclical
nature and its impact on both children and families

 Explore the educational disadvantages faced by

child labourers, discussing the long-term economic
implications for individuals and societies.

 Uncover the role of social and economic

inequalities in perpetuating child labour,
emphasizing the need for inclusive policies and
interventions.
 IMPACT OF CHILD LABOUR ON ECONOMIC GROWTH:-

 Child labour has a negative impact on economic

growth. Children who are forced to work instead
of attending school are deprived of education,
which limits their future employment
opportunities and earning potential. This
perpetuates a cycle of poverty and low economic
growth. Additionally, child labour can lead to
health problems and injuries, which can reduce
productivity and increase healthcare costs.
Furthermore, child labour can result in lower
wages for adult workers, as children are often
paid less than adults for the same work. All of
these factors contribute to slower economic
growth.
 INTERNATIONAL LABOUR STANDARDS ON CHILD LABOUR:-

 What are International Labour Standards?

 International Labour Standards (ILS) are a set of

guidelines developed by the International Labour
Organization (ILO) aimed at promoting decent
working conditions and protecting workers' rights
worldwide.

 Impact of International Labour Standards on Child

Labour

 ILS have been successful in reducing child labour in

many countries by setting minimum age requirements
for employment, improving working conditions, and
increasing access to education.
 CASE STUDIES:-

• The cocoa industry in West Africa has been known to

rely heavily on child labour, with estimates
suggesting that over 2 million children are involved
in cocoa production in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire
alone.

• In the garment industry, child labour is prevalent in

countries such as Bangladesh and India, where
children as young as 10 years old are known to work
in hazardous conditions for long hours and low pay.

• In the mining industry, child labour is common in

countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo,
where children are often forced to work in dangerous
conditions in mines to extract minerals such as cobalt
 Certainly, here are a couple of notable case studies that shed
light on different facets of child labor:-
1. The Rana Plaza Disaster (2013), Bangladesh: While not solely about child labor, the collapse of the Rana Plaza
building exposed the harsh realities of labor conditions in the garment industry. This incident highlighted the
widespread use of child labor in textile factories. Children as young as 11 or 12 were found working in these
factories, often under appalling conditions. The tragedy prompted global attention and led to discussions about
improving working conditions and eradicating child labor in the garment industry.

2. Cocoa Industry in West Africa: The cocoa industry, particularly in countries like Ivory Coast and Ghana, has
long been associated with child labor. Children, sometimes trafficked or working under conditions akin to
slavery, are employed in cocoa farms, involved in hazardous tasks like handling pesticides and machetes.
Efforts have been made by governments, NGOs, and chocolate companies to address this issue through
certification programs and initiatives promoting ethical sourcing.

 These cases highlight the complexity of the problem, spanning various industries and regions, and underscore
the need for concerted efforts from multiple stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and civil society,
to effectively combat child labor
 ECONOMIC POLICIES AND INTERVENTIONS:-

Education for Change

Discover the transformative power of education as an

essential tool to combat child labour, examining
successful intervention strategies.

Breaking the Cycle

Explore innovative social programs and poverty

alleviation initiatives that target the root causes of child
labour, fostering sustainable change .

Supply Chain Responsibility

Investigate the role of ethical sourcing and fair trade

practices in preventing child labour, showcasing
industry-wide initiatives and success stories.
 THE EVOLUTION OF CHILD LABOUR LAWS:-

 Dark Days

 Uncover the historica l background of child labour,

tra cing the journey from its widespread accepta nce to
the emerg ence of laws and regulations.

 Impa ct o n Economy

 Discover the economic consequences of child la bo ur

la ws, exploring their effects on industries, employment,
and ov erall economic develo pment

 Prog ress and Challeng es

 Reflect on the prog ress ma de so far, while

acknowledg ing the persistent challenges in
implementing and enforcing legislation to protect
 CHALLENGES IN ERADICATING CHILD LABOUR:-

 Economic Barriers

 Analyze the economic challenges hindering the

eradication of child labour, exploring the balance
between economic growth and human rights.

 Cultural Factors

 Examine the cultural aspects that perpetuate child

labour, addressing the need for cultural sensitivity
while promoting change.

 International Cooperation

 Highlight the importance of global collaboration to

address child labour, emphasizing the role of
international organizations and diplomatic efforts.
GOVERNMENT ACTION AGAINST CHILD LABOUR:-
 Governments take several actions to combat child labor, aiming to
protect children's rights and ensure their well-being. Here are some
common strategies and actions:-
1. L e g i s l a t i o n a n d P o l i c i e s : G o v e r n m e n t s i m p l e m e n t l a w s a n d re g u l a t i o n s p ro h i b i t i n g c h i l d l a b o r a n d s e t t i n g m i n i m u m a g e
re q u i re m e n t s f o r e m p l o y m e n t . T h e s e l a w s a re o f t e n i n l i n e w i t h i n t e r n a t i o n a l s t a n d a r d s s e t b y o r g a n i z a t i o n s l i k e t h e
International Labour Organization (ILO).

2. M o n i t o r i n g a n d E n f o rc e m e n t : E s t a b l i s h i n g b o d i e s o r a g e n c i e s re s p o n s i b l e f o r m o n i t o r i n g w o r k p l a c e s t o e n s u re c o m p l i a n c e
w i t h c h i l d l a b o r l a w s . E n f o rc e m e n t t h ro u g h i n s p e c t i o n s a n d p e n a l t i e s f o r v i o l a t i o n s i s c r u c i a l t o d e t e r e m p l o y e r s f ro m
e x p l o i t i n g c h i l d l a b o r.

3. E d u c a t i o n I n i t i a t i v e s : P ro v i d i n g a c c e s s t o q u a l i t y e d u c a t i o n f o r a l l c h i l d re n i s f u n d a m e n t a l . G o v e r n m e n t s o f t e n c re a t e
p ro g r a m s t o i n c re a s e s c h o o l e n ro l l m e n t , i m p ro v e t h e q u a l i t y o f e d u c a t i o n , a n d o f f e r i n c e n t i v e s f o r f a m i l i e s t o k e e p t h e i r
c h i l d re n i n s c h o o l r a t h e r t h a n s e n d i n g t h e m t o w o r k .

4. S o c i a l P ro t e c t i o n P ro g r a m s : O f f e r i n g s u p p o r t t o f a m i l i e s i n n e e d t h ro u g h s o c i a l w e l f a re p ro g r a m s , s u b s i d i e s , o r c a s h
t r a n s f e r s c a n re d u c e t h e e c o n o m i c p re s s u re t h a t l e a d s p a re n t s t o s e n d t h e i r c h i l d re n t o w o r k .

 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o o p e r a t i o n : C o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s , g o v e r n m e n t s , a n d N G O s t o s h a re b e s t p r a c t i c e s ,
re s o u rc e s , a n d s t r a t e g i e s t o c o m b a t c h i l d l a b o r o n a g l o b a l s c a l e .
 CONCLUSION:-

• Increase funding for education and vocational training programs in

areas with high rates of child labour.

• Strengthen enforcement of child labour laws and penalties for

violators.

• Encourage businesses to adopt and enforce codes of conduct that

prohibit the use of child labour in their supply chains.

• Collaborate with international organizations and governments to

address the root causes of child labour, such as poverty and lack of
access to education.

 Propose a holistic approach to achieve a child labour-free world,

combining legal frameworks, societal awareness, and economic
empowerment