Running head: IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 1

Implications of Child Labor on Education in South Asian Developing Countries

Sumita Bhattarai
Global Studies and World Languages Academy
Instructor: Gregory Falls
Tallwood High School
December 2015

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 2

Abstract
Child Labor is a humanitarian conflict which has been identified as a working progress in the
United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Many different views have regarded child labor
positively in terms of economics but negative in terms of humanitarian crises. There is a great
impact child labor has upon education. When at most times children have been prevented from
receiving an education due to rigorous hours of work, domestic child labor in households have
also been a road to receiving an education. In addition these children are receiving money
alongside going to school which allows them to increase their family income.Poverty and socioeconomic status have been the main determinants of child labor. Ultimately through these
determinants child labor will be prevalent in many South Asian developing countries and it is the
duty of the governments, and International legislations and conventions to seek the end of child
labor no matter what positive impacts it will make over a familys income status or the countrys
economic system.

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents

Introduction

Limitations

Methodology

Literature Review

Discussion

10

Influencing Determinants and its Effect on Child Labor

10

Impact of Child Labor over Education

12

Economical and Ethical Responses to Child Labor

14

Conclusion

16

References

18

Appendix A

21

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 4

Implications of Child Labor on Education in South Asian Developing Countries
INTRODUCTION
Child labor is by law illegal in developing countries in South Asia such as Nepal, Pakistan,
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka .Although this law is active in these countries; millions of children
are victims to child labor. Areas where such events happen include agriculture plantations, carpet
factories, and family homes. This action however, although regarded as inhumane has not been
looked down upon by many due to its benefits to a countrys economy. Pakistan and India come
in 10th and 2nd respectively in comparison to the world in terms of their countries labor force yet
millions who are in the workforce are victims to child labor. A negative aspect to this action is in
relation to education. The only way poor families and children can afford a living is through
being in the workforce. This prevents children from receiving an education. Notably, in many
circumstances humane household labor is the only method for poor children to receiving an
education as employers pay the money needed for the child to learn. However, the dilemma
lies within whether regulations and ones personal morals and ethics allow an underage child to
engage in the workforce.
Although governments have said that the eradication of child labor will take force within the
next decade, major improvement have not yet been seen. Various perspectives have been viewed
upon this topic; however a certain answer to this ethical dilemma has not yet come to light. There
is limited awareness among this topic which with absence will lead to reduced amounts of
proactive responses. Although child labor allows for economic progression it is a humanitarian
issue in developing countries in which poverty serves as its main actor. The dilemma lies in
whether child labor should be allowed in order for children to receive an education or taken
measures for as it is an inhumane action.

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 5

LI MITATIONS
The limitations that must be held within this paper cover the demographics of personnel,
location, and access whereas personal boundaries carries out a limitation on time and fluency
language.
Due to the focal point of the research being child labor the demographics of the personnel will
only be applied to the child workforce. Although the paper is an ethical dilemma, due to this
limitation, personal biases could possibly be created upon irrationality due to the focus being
only on children.
In order to make a global connection the paper is focused on children whom are in the child
workforce in South Asian countries which include areas such as Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri
Lanka.Due to this limitation, direct research will be limited as the possibilities to fly to a South
Asian country are improbable. This limit leads to the research of global connections of such
countries to any internet source where in order to find real, updated data, credibility of those sites
may not agreeable upon. This also leads to the third limit upon this research which is access. As
written above access to data etc. limits the research to the reliance on the internet which may not
be credible. Furthermore the credibility does not determine the data which means that even with
credible research the data available may not be useful for this particular research.
The personal boundaries of this paper limits the research to time and fluency of any language.
Although the problem is bound to continue in the future the limit on time cannot be overcome.
This limit however will allow further and mass amounts of in-depth research within the time
limit. In repetition, the locations of the focus on this research is a limit. This limits the research in
culture and fluency of language. Although many articles and data may be available in the

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 6

English, Nepali or Hindi language fluency of language will impact the access of data. Such
languages may include South Indian dialects or Urdu.
Although the limitations on demographics of personnel, location, access, and time and fluency
language will mainly impact the capability to receive detailed information, they could also be
limits which allows the research to focus on topics in more depth than it would with no
limitations whatsoever.
METHODOLOGY
Within this research the three main data focuses will be the personal opinion of professionals,
statistics and alternate reliable resources such as archives. As the research is on an ethical
dilemma the majority of the data acquired will be qualitative however in counterargument,
quantitative data and statistics will be the main source of information. Through the original
research a questionnaire will be administered to Ranjan Ray, a former college professor who did
an insightful study on the determinants of Child Labor and Child Schooling in South Asia. It is
likely that neither side of this dilemma will see a majority opinion. Through this research, South
Asian developing countries statistics over time and the effect on the economy, workforce and
schooling of the respective country will be available and the opinion of professionals in the area
of study will be disclosed. Field research will be improbable due to the limitations on location.
A majority of the information and data collected will be through online sources however, there
will be a variety of data collection through newspaper archives, government databases and
research papers on relatable topics. A majority of these resources will be trying to discuss a real
world problem, questionnaires, and pure statistics as well. The questionnaire will consist of
unbiased inquiries which will provide hopeful answers on the ethical dilemma, its causes, effects,

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 7

and current standing in the governments role and amount of responsibility over the issue (See
questions in Appendix A). The online research will consist of a variety of opinions and will not
only include websites with facts but will also include papers written by Ph.D.proffessors and
authentic articles which were written within the focus country.
LITERATURE REVIEW
According to Weisbrot, Naiman and Rudiak in Can Developing Countries Afford to Ban
or Regulate Child Labor, child labor will be difficult to regulate due to the fact that developing
countries today are too poor to regulate or ban it [child labor].It is noted in the works that major
importing countries must offer assistance to the developing countries due to the worlds lack in
an analogous government however it is recognized that by the elimination of child labor there
will be a vast impact over the economy which may result in eventual increase on adult wages.
The information provided reviews the GDP Per Capita of Industrialized Countries when they
passed laws banning or regulating child labor; however, these countries are primarily Western or
East Asian therefore enabling comparison to South Asian countries in which the GDP is very low
due to the country holding a 3rd world status with an weak economy.
Dario Berrebi however, speaks of the pointlessness of banning child labor where the main
determinant of child labor which is seen as poverty should be tackled instead. Through his social
and economic research he determined in Banning Child Labour Alone is Pointless, Tackle
Poverty Instead that by waging a war on child labor the world must wait up to twenty years to
see it come to an end. Berrebi concludes that effective policies and strategies which should be
taken place comprise of Rebuilding trust & educating communities, and by fighting poverty.

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 8

In Child Labour and Child Schooling in South Asia: A Cross Country Study of their
Determinants by Ranjan Ray a detailed compilation of the relationship between child labor and
education in South Asian countries can be reviewed. Ray similarly, asserts the strong impact
poverty has over child schooling and child labor. He however agrees with the universal
agreement about the harmful effects of child labor having minimal ways of effective dealing. In a
survey over the relative topic Ray said child labor is certainly ethically inhuman and that strict
labor standards should be legislated and enforced due to the inability for quick progression over
the next decade. He relayed that as the ILO says, a certain maximum hours of employment
should be prescribed for children in the prescribed age group.(Appendix A) He also relayed his
will to tackle both poverty and child labor simultaneously in a comprehensive and integrated
strategy that will allow for faster progression.
Although there have been numerous negative views over child labor ,there is an alternate
viewpoint in which child labor is seen to be positive rather than negative. In 5 Positive sides of
child labor- Why child labour should not be banned? by Shoeb Adnan the common picture over
the positive impacts child labor serves are discussed. The positive sides of child labor have been
listed as Children can contribute to family income, Poor children can work to pay tuition
fees, Parents can use their child in family business, Owners can reduce the cost of
production, and lastly Working Children can help reduce labor shortage. This article however
does not discuss the negative impacts of child labor which according to Betcherman, Fare,
Luinstra and Prouty in Child Labor, Education, and Childrens Rights comprise of its effect on
the human capital, health and education.
Statistics from the International Labour Office (ILO) declare the situation of child labor
in South Asia to be the cause of parental poverty (in which many have approved upon) and

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 9

illiteracy. In addition to social and economic circumstances, lack of awareness, lack of access to
basic and meaningful quality education and skills and high rates of adult unemployment and
under employment. The accumulated data provides that over the topic of child domestic labor
(CDL), it is culturally accepted and commonly practiced. It however, constitutes a worst from of
child labor as defined in the ILOs Wort Forms of Child Labour Convention. The known CDL
population provides factual statistics over specific countries such as India, Nepal, Pakistan and
Sri Lanka. Through the statistics it was revealed that 20% of all children under the age of 14
years were working outside the family home in domestic service in India. Nepals capital
,Kathmandu having 62,000 children under the age of 14 years ,Pakistan having 264,000 children
working in personal and social services and lastly Sri Lanka having 100,000 of the known CDL
population. From prior statistics in working children from five to fourteen year olds in the 4
mentioned countries; the total working children accumulate to 6.555 million.
In Globalization and the Economics of Child Labor Eric V. Edmonds discusses the
economic perspective over Child Labor. It is at first defined in economics as the economic
activities in which children participate which in comparison to the political definition has a less
subjective definition. Edmonds discusses the affects globalization has over child labor as well.
First, that globalization may increase the employment and earnings opportunities available to
poor households in developing countries. Second, globalization increases the influence of rich
countries in the domestic policies of the developing world. In contrast however, critics have
taken notice of globalizations impact on the increase of a countrys exposure to foreign
competition. In response this may force industries out of business. Edmonds concludes that in the
short term, adjustments over child labor will create difficulty for some households with children
which in the long term is the focal point for prevention.

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 10

DISCUSSION
In recent years, the Implications of Child Labor over Education has been in frequent debate.
Although considered inhumane by a mass majority it also has supporters. Child Labor has
proven to benefit the economies of South Asian developing countries such as Nepal, Pakistan
and Sri Lanka etc. however it also causes an increase in disease and sicknesses. In addition, it
also causes the decrease of the countries literacy rate due to the outcome of being in the
workforce which prevents children from attending school. The ethical dilemma lies in whether
students shall receive an education or enter the workforce and succumb to inhumane actions.
Influencing Determinants of Child Labor: One of the many overall results from child
labor include its impact on education. Influencing factors of child labor may include socioeconomic inequality, global demand for cheaply produced good and the United Nations five
listings of factors which similarly include market demand, and effects on income shocks and
household alongside barriers to education, cultures and traditions and lastly, the inadequate or
poor enforcement of legislation and policies .Socio-economic inequality does not only exist in
many 1st world countries but also exist in the developing world as well. Its influence on child
labor serves with the fact that inequality of income leads to severe credit constraints(Ray
R.2002)The reasoning behind the cause is due to child labor compensating families from income
shocks which lift the families out of poverty.Ranjan Ray in Child Labour and Child Schooling
in South Asia: A Cross Country Study of their Determinants says that the then improved credit
provisions will have a significant role in keeping children in schooling and out of
employment.Similarly,the The United Nations Children's Fund,UNICEF, regards a major
determinant of child labor being social inequalities reinforced by discrimination. This outlook
upon child labor is relevant to a plethora of the developing countries in South Asia as although

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 11

being currently victim to westernization and globalization the countries remain conservative
within their own culture. Examples include migrant children and children form indigenous
groups or lower caste families. (Child Labour 2015).Such discrimination may not only refer to
cultural discrimination but will apply to the socio-economic status of a family as well.
Due to the vast increase in consumerism within the past 10 years it can be declared that
the demand for products will remain in it exponential growth. A factor of child labor in which
directly relates to all people is the global demand for cheaply produced goods. The proliferation
of technology and produce had led to a grand increase in consumerism which although viewed
upon positively, has many negative consequences. The worldwide, private consumption
expenditures which is the amount spent on goods and services at the household level topped $20
trillion in 2000, which in comparison to 1960 was an increase by four-folds. With the expanding
economy consumerism is bound to increase. In terms of global inequities, South Asia combined
with sub-Saharan Africa only account for 3.2% of the world consumption. (The State 2015).This
in relation to child labor could determine that children from South Asia or sub-Saharan Africa or
often prone to child labor. The increases in market demand lead to children being forced to work
for cheap or at times for no pay at all.
The governments of the South Asian developing countries have taken prior initiative to
eliminate child labor within their country. For example, the Government of Nepal has established
policies related to child labor, including its worst forms. (Nepal .2015)The policies implanted
include the National Master Plan on Child Labor which aims to eliminate the worst forms of
child labor by 2009 and all forms of child labor by 2014.The identified types of labor include
bonded child labor, rag picking,portering,child domestic service,mining,carpet weaving and child
trafficking. A major cause of the continuation of child labor however is the inadequate and poor

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 12

enforcement of legislation and policies (Resources 2015).The International legislation and
conventions seeking to end child labor have not been taken seriously or enforced. (Frequently
2015).The National Master Plan on Child Labor has clearly not been taken full priority of in the
government of Nepal as the worst forms of child labor still exist in the country. In response, there
has been a review conducted in 2010 for the Master Plan on Child Labor which is planned to
eliminate child labor form 2015 to 2025. (Nepal 2015).Overseen by Nepals Ministry of
Education the School Sector Reform Plan in Nepal targeted children out of school whom were at
risk of entering the workforce from child labor. This reform plan also aimed to expand childrens
access to education however as the end of 2015 is coming near the school life expectancy from
primary to tertiary education is only 12 years with only a 53.1% literacy rate for females of ages
15 and over.
Although there exists other influencing factors, the overall majority of many discern
poverty as the main determining factor of child labor. With developing countries whom have
poor economies more than half of the population have families whose income and daily living
spending fall below the poverty line. For example in Pakistan the considered minimum daily
wage is $2 .This lead to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar revealing that more than half of the country
lives below the poverty line.(Over 2014)
Impact of Child Labor over Education: Child labor in simplistic terms could prevent or
allow children in receiving an education.Althought a majority of children do not attend schooling
due to child labor; for many who work in domestic household labor which is not exploitive or
harmful leads to those children receiving an education. In an interview with Ranjan Ray,
professor at the Department of Economics at Monash University a question regarding the benefit
of non-exploitive child labor was asked. In response Ray said Child labor and child schooling

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 13

are substitutes, not complements. The government can encourage children in very poor families
to take up studies by introducing several schemes designed to encourage schooling such as Midday meals in India. It has also been proven that by giving incentives the likelihood for a child to
go to school or for a parent to allow his or her child go to school will increase. School attendance
will have a positive impacted due to the incentives given. (Edmonds E. 2002) Education is a
necessity therefore as Ray had said the government must encourage schooling by enforcing and
regulating the labor laws for children. Ray had also said in his research that:
Notwithstanding the rhetoric in public statements, the record on primary schooling in
South Asian countries is quite disappointing, leaving the children prone to long labor
hours. Rising education levels of the adult members in the household and increased
public awareness have a highly significant positive impact on child schooling and
consequently, can play and important part in reducing the childs long labor hours.
Ray is identifying one of the causes of child labor and lack of education coming from parental
purposes. This complies with the view that one the factors that generate child labor includes
parental poverty and illiteracy; social and economic circumstances; lack of awareness; lack of
access to basic and meaningful quality education and skills alongside the high rates of adult
unemployment and under-employment.(Child Labour and Responses 2015)
In the United States the compulsory schooling laws states a specification of an entry age
by which the child is required to attend school and a drop out age at which the child can choose
to unconditionally stop attending school. (Stephens M et.al 2015).However, In comparison with
the developing South Asian country of Afghanistan there exists a grand difference between the
schooling systems. Due to political struggles the country was and is still struggling in the area of
education. Many women and children in general are unable to access a school. As of November

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 14

2011 the adult literacy rate (15+ years) was only 39% with the Adult female literacy rate (15
+years) hitting a low of only 13%.Specifically in India, the nature of association between socioeconomic variables and dropout or child labor has a significant implication in terms of policy
measures that improvement in school accessibility would automatically decrease incidence of
child labor. (Saswati.Das 2012).Child Labor therefore simultaneously prevent the achievement of
the Millennium Development Goals of halving poverty and achieving Education for All. It is
clear that the international community should prioritize the appliance of childrens rights on child
labor and education. (Betcherman G,et.al 2005).
Economical and Ethical Responses to Child Labor: The international response to
allowing or prohibiting child labor is diverse. Child Labour is however illegal I many nations
including those of South Asia. There are two primary sides to this ethical dilemma in which one
side challenges the inhumane action caused by child labor while the other supports its economic
benefits to its country. Child Labor is illegal in Nepal yet around 1.6 million children to this day
are in the workforce. (Nazish K.2014)By being in the workforce these children are victims to
hazardous conditions especially in places such as carpet factories.Brishkae, a child in Nepal is
ten years old and works 16 hours in a carpet factory .Both of her parents do not have jobs which
addresses the cause of why she had to succumb to child labor.Brishkae does not attend school as
well therefore preventing herself from receiving an education. The likely cause of not attending
school may be due to monetary purposes. (Nazish K.2014).Nepal is one of the worst places I the
World for Child Labor. Due to these condition child labor has been a working progress for
eradication which has not been fulfilled. Nearly all of the governments in the world also see
child labor as a violation of human rights which leads to the majority will for
eradication.UNICEF aims to protect the children from exploitation, abuse and violence.

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 15

Although the side which challenges the inhumane action of child labor overpopulate the
amount of people for child labor, the argument for keeping child labor is a big topic of discussion
which should be brought more awareness of. The reasons for keeping child labor in place falls to
economic, educational and familial reasons. These reasons include the fact that by child labor,
children can contribute to family income, poor children can work to pay tuition fees, parents can
use their child in family business, owners can reduce the cost of production and lastly with the
fact that working children can help reduce labor shortage. (Adnan.S.2013).A surprising view on
keeping child labor is that parents in developing countries make their own decisions to send their
kids into labor. The parents take advantage of any earning opportunities open to children.
(Edmonds.E.2002)
The economics behind child labor are highly overviewed by economists. Globalization is
said to increase the employment and earnings in developing countries due to the inflow of
foreign investments however, the constant flow of investments leads to market demand and child
labor and this amongst many economist are seen as a complement to the countries economy.
(Edmonds.E.2002)There is also a view of the inefficiency of child labor. It is shown that child
labor is inefficient when the family is very poor which gives no choice but for the parents to send
their children to child labor. By not making the children work, they lose the possible increase in
income. (Baland J,et.al) Developing countries have poor economies. With child labor however,
the economy gets better than it would be without child labor. Therefore, through research,
economists have developed a general claim that developing countries today are too poor to
regulate or ban child labor without a stable economic foundation. (Weisbrot M, et.al)It is also
viewed that the minimum age of employment is the dominant tool used to combat child labor
yet, developing countries have not been focusing on existing laws and have been lacking on

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 16

enforcing and implementing those regulations. (Edmonds.E 2014)Lastly, economists have
recognized that anti-poverty programs which are created to eradicate poverty and therefore
eradicate child labor have raised wages which could have the unintended effect of lowering
human capital investment. Although the overall effect on the economy is positive, due to ethical
and educational implications child labor is a grand humanitarian conflict in which the lives of the
children must be taken in before the positive impact on the economies of those developing
countries.
CONCLUSION
Child Labor has a great hand in education in South Asian developing countries due to
impoverished areas of living and poor economies. Poverty: a determinant of child labor is seen as
one of the most direct causes of child labor. Poverty causes a low family income which then
causes parents requiring children to work in order to live by the day. Although poverty is seen as
the main determinant of child labor there are other causations, including parental literacy rate, ,
enforcement of laws and regulations,socio-economic inequality and lastly global demand for
cheap goods. Through these causes children have been prone to hazardous conditions in areas of
agriculture and carpet weaving. Due to child labor, children have been unable to attend school.
The lack of money does not only prevent the children forms receiving an education but only
leads to more hazardous conditions of child labor. The overall impact in the global economy is
positive as industries are open to cheap labor. There are two primary opposing views over the
topic of child labor and child schooling. That is by child labor, students are able to pay for their
tuition therefore being a good initiative for them to resort to labor. However, the child labor act
in itself is inhumane which has led to serious injuries and deaths. The United Nations have
included in their Millennium Development Goals to achieve full education for all students

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 17

however international legislations and conventions have not been properly enforcing their laws
and regulations against child labor. In addition, developing countries especially in South Asia are
currently too poor to regulate or ban child labor which puts those countries into an Ethical
Dilemma. In Conclusion, child labor needs to be regulated as it poses as a humanitarian threat to
millions of children in developing countries. Although it achieves positive impacts on the lacking
economy of those countries, the priority for the governments of the developing countries is to
eradicate child labor and provide education for the ones whom its a true necessity.

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 18

References
Adnan, S. (2013, March 3). 5 Positive sides of child labor- Why child labour should not be
banned? Retrieved December 16, 2015, from http://www.extremology.com/2013/03/5positive-sides-of-child-labor.html
Afghanistan Education:Factsheet. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2015, from
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/files/ACO_Education_Factsheet__November_2011_.pdf
Baland, J., & Robinson, J. (n.d.). Is Child Labor Inefficient? Journal of Political Economy, 663679. doi:10.1086/316097
Berrebi, D. (n.d.). Banning Child Labour is Pointless, Tackle Poverty Instead. Retrieved
December 15, 2015, from http://www.poverties.org/child-labor.html
Betcherman, G., Fares, J., Luinstra, A., & Prouty, R. (2005). Child Labor, Education, and
Childrens Rights. Human Rights and DevelopmentTowards Mutual Reinforcement, 173200.
Child Labour and Responses-South Asia. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2015, from
https://www.ilo.org/legacy/english/regions/asro/newdelhi/ipec/download/southasia.pdf
Child labour. (2015, June 11). Retrieved December 16, 2015, from
http://www.unicef.org/protection/57929_child_labour.html
Edmonds, E. (n.d.). Does minimum age of employment regulation reduce child labor? IZA World
of Labor Izawol, 1-10.
Edmonds, E. (n.d.). Globalization and the Economics of Child Labor. 1-6. Retrieved December
16, 2015, from https://www.dartmouth.edu/~eedmonds/nzzessay.pdf

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Edmonds, E., & Shrestha, M. (n.d.). You Get What You Pay For: Schooling incentives and child
labor. Journal of Development Economics, 196-211.
Frequently Asked Questions. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2015, from
http://www.developmenteducation.ie/de-in-action/child-labour/faq.html
Nazish, K. (n.d.). Nepal: One of The Worst Places To Be a Child? Retrieved December 16, 2015,
from http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/nepal-one-of-the-worst-places-to-be-a-child/
Nepal. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/childlabor/nepal.htm
Over half of Pakistan lives under poverty line: Dar. (2014, June 3). Retrieved December 15,
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Ray, R.. (2002). Simultaneous Analysis of Child Labour and Child Schooling: Comparative
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IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 20

Saswati Das, Incidence of Child Labour and Child Schooling in India: Pattern and
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Regulate Child Labor?

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 21

APPENDIX A
Transcript of interview with Ranjan Ray, Department of Economics at Monash University
alongside editor of Review of Income and Wealth , Journal of Human Development and
Capabilities , and Economic Record .
1. There are various views over child labor. Some say it should be allowed due to its benefit
to countries economies while many say it is ethically inhumane. What is your stance on
this issue?
It is certainly ethically inhuman, but for many families and their children, there may not
be a choice as they are close to or below the poverty line. Without child labor earnings,
many of them will probably starve. So, as the ILO has said, a certain maximum hours of
employment should be prescribed for children in prescribed age groups, and strict labor
standards should be legislated and enforced.
2. Household child labor is pretty common in countries such as Nepal and the Maldives.
Although looked down upon, household child labor is one of the only ways a child can
receive an education. Since education is seen as an essential to living, should this practice
be allowed?
I dont understand this question. Child labor and child schooling are substitutes, not
complements. The government can encourage children in very poor families to take up
studies by introducing several schemes designed to encourage schooling such as Mid-day
meals in India.
3. There have been efforts in South Asian developing countries to reduce child labor. There
are still however, millions of children involved in the dangerous workforce. Should the
government take partial responsibility for not implementing their regulations enough?

IMPLICATIONS OF CHILD LABOR ON EDUCATION 22

Yes, partly. There hasnt been much social awareness of this issue, but for that the
government is not wholly responsible since they are only one agent for promoting such
awareness. There is also role of NGOs, international bodies such as ILO and UNESCO,
and other agencies.
4. Since child labor is an inhumane act, many say the government should take care of the
children first. However, others say we must tackle the primary cause of child labor which
is poverty. Poverty in certain South Asian countries such as Pakistan however reaches
above half of its population and getting rid of it would take years to decades to overcome.
Should poverty be taken care of first? Or should we take care of the present dilemma on
child labor?
We need to tackle both simultaneously in a comprehensive and integrated strategy. A
good example is Vietnam which has seen a drastic reduction in child labor along with
household poverty.
5. In terms of education and the economy, what do you believe is the main reason for the
vast differences in child labor and education in South Asia countries and its neighboring
countries?
Female education, quality of institutions, NGOs, social awareness are some of the factors
explaining greater progress in some countries than in others. In case of Nepal, where
sadly much progress is yet to be made, bonded labor has been an issue that is often cited
as a cause for the high prevalence of child labor.