Child Labor

BOOK2: Major issues in Pakistan Economy

A.Hamid Shahid
 CHILD LABOR (A. Hamid Shahid Book)
Introduction
o Concept of child labor got importance in 1990s: developed countries
restrict their market for export from developing countries.
1. Child labor and child work
2. Properties of child labor
3. Causes of child labor
4. Measures to check child labor.
 CHILD LABOR (A. Hamid Shahid Book)
Child labor and child work
• Child labor: Child work instead of getting education.
• Child work: Child work with his family on his own farm or business.
International labor organization (ILO) defines child labor as:
i. The child who is working in the lower age
ii. The child who works more hours—12 to 16 hours.
iii. He works under physical, sociological and psychological pressure
iv. He works in street and markets where hygienic conditions are missing
v. Prepared to work on very low wage
• It is available all over the world
• Asian countries: at least one-ten of labor force comprise child labor.
• Children having ages of 10-14 years who were working
 India: +44million
 Pakistan: 8- 10 million
 Bangla-Desh: 8-12 million
 Brazil 7 million
 Nigeria: 12 million
 CHILD LABOR (A. Hamid Shahid Book)
Properties of child labor
1. The child labor wage: less than minimum wage
2. Child labor face two type of opportunity costs: (i) enjoyment and (ii)
education.
• Child labor is bounded in certain cases
• Suffer due to deterioration in health: (stomach diseases and TB)
3. Child labor is adversely affecting labor productivity and efficiency of
factor of production.
4. Rich countries imposed restrictions on the exports from UDCs on the
ground of child labor.
 CHILD LABOR (A. Hamid Shahid Book)
Causes of child Labor
1. poverty
2. Unemployment and under employment
3. Educational institution and education system
3. Non-existence of social security
4. Increase in unproductive expenditures
5. Defective economic and legal policies
 CHILD LABOR (A. Hamid Shahid Book)
Measures to check child labor
1. Labor laws must be strictly implemented
o Who violate rules: must be penalized and punished
2. Educational system must be re-oriented
o Promote technical education
o Uniform education
o Incentives for quality education
3. Measures be taken to reduce poverty
4. Better system of social protection
5. Changes in socio-economic set up: boost employment, good
governance