Steps against Child Labor: Useful and Less Useful

The problem of child labor attracted considerable attention in international political debates during the last decade; solid empirical results on the spread of child labor, working conditions, & payment to economically active children are, however, as rare as concrete programs (of a certain volume & impact) for the elimination of child labor. The most popular assumption is that child labor is caused primarily by poverty. However, as cross-country studies demonstrate, there are other factors, including poor formal education, accessibility of schools, high birth rates, low female participation in the labor market, & lack of employment & income alternatives in regions most affected by child labor. To control or eliminate child labor, international trade sanctions or national labor laws do not seem to be very effective. While efforts to improve schooling, rehabilitate former child workers, increase employment opportunities for families, & compensate families at least partially for the lost income of their children are more promising, they remain severely underfunded. 60 References. Adapted from the source document.