Child labour arose as a solution to cheap labour cost for the production based sectors since the mid-80s and 90s. Surprisingly till date 1 out of 12 children is now a child labour globally.[1]
Currently there are many international organisations fighting back this cruelty on children. One of them is the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Initially ILO’s main instrument against child labour has been the Convention No.138-Minimum Age required for employment. Gradually the Convention No.182 prohibiting the Worst Form of Child Labour, like slavery, trafficking, prostitution was introduced.[2]
Unfortunately the ratification rate of such conventions in developing countries, for example in Asia was much less than in developed countries. Nevertheless the ratification of child labour convention have boosted up dramatically in the last decade.[3] Moreover, economists have taken further policies, to restrict underage employment i.e. to put total or marginal ban on child labour; also setting penalties for using child labour. Even then loopholes remain considering the fact that illegal employment activities cannot be monitored properly.[4] Furthermore, the government’s failure to implement conventions properly into their national legislations and domestic implementation of those legislations holds back the effectiveness of ILO.[5]
Besides the ILO the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) provides certain basic fundamental rights for the children. It ensure the children’s right to life, education, express their opinion, protection from abuse or exploitation and the right to play and enjoy culture and art.[6] In 2000 two additional protocols were introduced that provided children under the age of 18 should not be forcedly recruited into armed force, and the second, demands the states to prohibit child prostitution, pornography and sale of children into slavery. This ‘new’ protocols have already being signed by more than 120 states and are also allowed to be monitored by non-governmental organisations such as the ‘Save the Children’ organisation under Article 45a of the Convention.[7]
Although there are many nations which have signed this convention are bound to fulfil these rights and protect them, there is still violation of these rights, and proof of the fact is clearly visible around the world. This is a powerful struggle going on by the UN and other child protecting organisations against child labour, however, illegal child labour cannot be disappeared from one day to another.
[1] End Child Exploitation – Child labour today, http://www.unicef.org.uk/publications/pdf/ECECHILD2_A4.pdf
[2] The Effect of ILO Minimum Age Conventions on Child Labour and School Attendance: Evidence From Aggregate and Individual-Level Data http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6VC6-4Y4XCW0-1-5&_cdi=5946&_user=122879&_pii=S0305750X09002381&_origin=article&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F2010&_sk=999619994&view=c&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkzV&md5=67d6419d9cdabef6859cd71daead1807&ie=/sdarticle.pdf
[3] Ibid
[4] Ibid
[5] Ibid
[6] The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Children http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/en/child-rights_9528.htm
[7] Ibid
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