This essay is about the pros and cons of child labour in the context of the ILO labour standards and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. The essay is in favor of the abolition of child labour. The facts are mainly based on the situation in Vietnam, but also on the other member states of the TPP.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiation (TPP) is a multilateral free trade negotiation, which should strengthen the economies of the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, 12 countries which are taking part in TPP negotiations announced their interest in a membership. The TPP is considered to be one of the most important trade negotiations of Vietnam now, which includes in not only trade provisions like market opening for goods and services, but also other non-trade ones like investment, labour and environment. Therefore, this agreement should be seen as an opportunity to reinforce and to protect the human rights of children.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has developed international labour standards to ensure that the globalization of economy provides benefits for everybody, especially in terms of freedom, equity, security and dignity. The abolition of child labour is one of the fundamental conventions, the ILO claims. The “ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up” declared that all members have “to respect, to promote and to realize […] the effective abolition of child labour” (ILO 2015). The demands are defined more precisely in the “Minimum Age Convention” and in the “Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention”.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- ILO labour standards and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement
- FORMS OF WORK
- Child Labour in Vietnam
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The objective of this text is to analyze the relationship between ILO labor standards and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, focusing specifically on the issue of child labor in Vietnam. The text argues for the inclusion of enforceable language within the TPP to eliminate child labor, highlighting the agreement's potential to reinforce children's human rights.
- The role of ILO conventions in combating child labor.
- The prevalence and forms of child labor in Vietnam.
- The economic and social implications of child labor.
- The potential of the TPP to address child labor issues.
- Arguments for and against strong intervention to combat child labor.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
ILO labour standards and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement: This introductory chapter sets the stage by discussing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and its potential impact on child labor. It emphasizes the importance of including enforceable language within the TPP to eliminate child labor, framing the agreement as an opportunity to strengthen economies while protecting children's human rights. The chapter introduces the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its established international labor standards, specifically highlighting the fundamental conventions against child labor. It lays the groundwork for subsequent discussions on the forms of child labor, its prevalence in Vietnam, and the potential solutions offered by the TPP.
FORMS OF WORK: This section provides a concise yet crucial table outlining different forms of work categorized by age group and level of hazard. This visually presents the ILO's classification of child labor, differentiating between permissible "light work" for younger children and unacceptable hazardous work or excessive hours for all ages. The visual nature of the table clearly delineates what constitutes child labor based on age and working conditions, providing a foundational understanding for the subsequent discussion on child labor in Vietnam. This table serves as a key reference point for understanding the complexities and nuances of defining child labor.
Child Labour in Vietnam: This chapter delves into the specific issue of child labor within Vietnam. It presents statistical data on the prevalence of child labor in Vietnam, comparing it to global averages and highlighting the significant number of children working excessive hours. The chapter discusses the concentration of child labor in rural areas, often within unpaid family work in agriculture. It further analyzes the negative impact of child labor on education, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exploitation. The chapter also explores the economic arguments surrounding child labor, acknowledging the financial needs of families and the competitive pressures faced by companies in emerging markets. The discussion includes counterarguments suggesting that eliminating child labor might lead to worse alternatives for children, but emphasizes the importance of upholding human rights and establishing a social safety net. The text concludes by discussing Western companies' growing concern regarding child labor in their supply chains and the need for comprehensive solutions beyond merely establishing rules.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
ILO labor standards, Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), child labor, Vietnam, human rights, economic development, poverty, education, supply chains, corporate social responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions: ILO Labor Standards, the TPP, and Child Labor in Vietnam
What is the main focus of this text?
This text analyzes the relationship between International Labour Organization (ILO) labor standards and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, with a specific focus on child labor in Vietnam. It examines the potential of the TPP to address child labor issues and argues for the inclusion of enforceable language within the agreement to eliminate it.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the role of ILO conventions in combating child labor; the prevalence and forms of child labor in Vietnam; the economic and social implications of child labor; the potential of the TPP to address child labor issues; and arguments for and against strong intervention to combat child labor.
What is the objective of this text?
The objective is to demonstrate how the TPP can be used to reinforce children's human rights by eliminating child labor through enforceable language within the agreement.
What are the different chapters included in this text?
The text includes chapters on: ILO labor standards and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement; Forms of Work (a detailed classification of child labor); and Child Labor in Vietnam (focusing on prevalence, impact, and potential solutions).
How does the text define child labor?
The text utilizes the ILO's classification of child labor, differentiating between permissible "light work" for younger children and unacceptable hazardous work or excessive hours for all ages. A table visually presents this classification based on age and working conditions.
What is the situation of child labor in Vietnam according to the text?
The text presents statistical data on the prevalence of child labor in Vietnam, highlighting its concentration in rural areas, often within unpaid family work in agriculture. It discusses the negative impact on education and the perpetuation of poverty and exploitation.
What are the arguments for and against strong intervention to combat child labor?
The text acknowledges the financial needs of families and competitive pressures faced by companies in emerging markets as arguments against immediate and drastic intervention. However, it emphasizes the importance of upholding human rights and establishing a social safety net to counter these arguments and justify intervention.
What role does the TPP play in addressing child labor?
The text argues that the TPP presents an opportunity to strengthen economies while protecting children's human rights by including enforceable language to eliminate child labor. It discusses the potential of the agreement to address child labor issues and its impact on supply chains.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter on "ILO labor standards and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement"?
This chapter establishes the context by discussing the TPP and its potential impact on child labor, emphasizing the importance of enforceable language to eliminate it. It introduces the ILO and its conventions against child labor, laying the groundwork for subsequent chapters.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter on "Forms of Work"?
This chapter provides a crucial visual representation (table) of the ILO's classification of child labor, clearly differentiating between acceptable and unacceptable forms of work based on age and working conditions. This serves as a key reference point for understanding the complexities of defining child labor.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter on "Child Labor in Vietnam"?
This chapter provides detailed information on the prevalence, forms, and impact of child labor in Vietnam. It explores the economic and social implications, considers counterarguments against intervention, and emphasizes the need for comprehensive solutions.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Key words include ILO labor standards, Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), child labor, Vietnam, human rights, economic development, poverty, education, supply chains, and corporate social responsibility.
- Quote paper
- Michael Rogg (Author), 2015, Abolition of child labour in context of the ILO labour standards and the TPP, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/339344
