In this work the reasons for child labour will be explained and the question of the responsibility will be answered. In order to answer the question "What can be done?" possible actions will be pointed out. It is also important to present different organizations which try to stop child labour. Moreover, the author gives an overview of the distribution of child labour in the world and in different sectors and shows two examples for child labour in Asia.
According to a statement of the United Nations Organization, 218 million children around the world between 5 and 17 years are employed as full-time workers, often under hazardous and dangerous working conditions. This fact shows the importance of combating child labour.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical frame of reference
2.1 Definition Child labour
2.2 Definition Developing nations
3 Distribution of child labour
3.1 Distribution in regions and countries
3.2 Distribution in sectors
4 Examples of child labour in Asia
4.1 India
4.2 Uzbekistan
5 Reasons for child labour
5.1 Poverty and unemployment
5.2 Limited education
5.3 Demand on cheap products
6 Responsibility
6.1 Companies
6.2 Government
6.3 Consumers
7 Possible actions against child labour
7.1 What companies, consumers and governments can do
7.2 Organizations fighting against child labour
7.2.1 FAIRTRADE
7.2.2 The United Nations and the ILO
7.2.3 UNICEF
8 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
The primary objective of this paper is to examine the multifaceted issue of child labour in developing nations, specifically identifying its root causes, analyzing the responsibilities of various economic stakeholders, and proposing actionable strategies to mitigate its prevalence.
- The socioeconomic drivers of child labour, particularly poverty, unemployment, and lack of education.
- The geographic and sectoral distribution of working children across the globe.
- The roles and responsibilities of companies, governments, and consumers in perpetuating or eradicating the practice.
- The effectiveness of international organizations and certifications in combating child labour.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Distribution in sectors
Children are forced to work in almost all kinds of sectors from agricultural to the industrial sector. In fact, 12 percent of the child labour worldwide is used in the industrial sector, 17 percent covers the service sector and 71 percent the agricultural sector.
In contrast to the industrial sector where mostly boys are employed, the service sector is represented usually by girls. Included in service work are cleaning, cooking and child care, in private households as well as for example in tourist facilities such as hotel and restaurants. As can be seen from the table 2 hotels and restaurants also practicing child labour and it is the occupation with the highest percentage of child workers compared to other segments from the service sector.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the scale of global child labour as a violation of fundamental human rights and outlines the paper's aim to address its causes and potential solutions.
2 Theoretical frame of reference: Defines child labour within international standards and clarifies the classification of developing nations.
3 Distribution of child labour: Provides data on the prevalence of child labour across different geographic regions and economic sectors.
4 Examples of child labour in Asia: Discusses specific cases in India and Uzbekistan, illustrating both the persistence and successful elimination of child labour practices.
5 Reasons for child labour: Analyzes the interconnected socioeconomic factors, specifically poverty, education gaps, and market demand for cheap goods.
6 Responsibility: Examines the shared accountability of corporations, state governments, and individual consumers regarding child labour.
7 Possible actions against child labour: Details practical interventions for stakeholders and introduces the work of organizations like Fairtrade, the ILO, and UNICEF.
8 Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings and advocates for ethical consumerism and systemic change as the path forward.
Keywords
Child Labour, Developing Nations, Poverty, Unemployment, Education, Human Rights, CSR, Fairtrade, ILO, UNICEF, Ethical Consumerism, Global Supply Chain, Socioeconomic Factors, Labour Standards, Child Exploitation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on identifying the reasons behind child labour in developing nations, assigning responsibility for this issue, and determining effective strategies for its eradication.
Which key areas does the research investigate?
The research investigates the definition of child labour, its global distribution, regional case studies in Asia, systemic causes, the roles of different economic players, and the influence of international organizations.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The goal is to inform readers about the severity of child labour and to provide a comprehensive understanding of what can be done to combat it at individual and institutional levels.
Which research methodology is employed?
The work utilizes a descriptive and analytical literature-based approach, synthesizing data from international organizations like the UN, ILO, and UNICEF, as well as academic sources on child labour economics.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers definitions, statistical distribution across sectors, case studies of India and Uzbekistan, drivers like poverty and consumer demand, and the efforts of organizations like Fairtrade.
Which keywords define this work?
The work is defined by terms such as child labour, socioeconomic causes, corporate social responsibility (CSR), fair trade, and international labor standards.
How does consumer behavior contribute to the incidence of child labour?
Consumers contribute to child labour by demanding cheaper products, which encourages companies to source labor from regions with low wages and poor working conditions.
What makes the Uzbekistan case study a best-practice example?
Uzbekistan is highlighted because the government, pressured by international boycotts and advocacy, took decisive steps to end the forced participation of children in cotton harvesting, demonstrating that systemic change is possible.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Xenia Strackbein (Autor:in), 2019, What can be done to stop child labour in developing countries?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/542776
