Child Labor Laws

Paper Summary:

The paper explains that as globalization has increased during the past few decades, so have child labor practices. The paper defines the term "child labor" as children under 18 years of age who work in both the formal and informal sectors, in conditions that are potentially harmful and who receive less than the minimum wage. The paper relates that while many developing countries have laws to protect children, enforcement is difficult since child labor is already established as a structural part of the economy. In many poor countries, families depend on a child's income for life's necessities. The paper describes how child labor has become a primary issue in international relations today, but highlights how the issue involves many controversies that are not easily solved.

From the Paper:

"Children have always worked along side their families to help out as a means of survival, however defining what is appropriate work for children often involves complex judgements, particularly for firms doing business on a global scale (Bachman). There has been increased pressure on international business from social activists, trade unions, and others to find new solutions that will put an end to exploiting child labor and allow children to receive education and training to ensure they will become productive adults (Bachman)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bachman, S. L. "The Political Economy of Child Labor and Its Impacts on International Business." Business Economics. July 1, 2000. Retrieved September 29 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
• Bullard, Madeleine Grey. "Child labor prohibitions are universal, binding, and obligatory law: the evolving state of customary international law concerning the unempowered child laborer. " Houston Journal of International Law. September 22, 2001. Retrieved September 29 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.Child Labor. The International Labor Organization. June 2005. Retrieved September 29 2006 from:http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/norm/subject/child.htm
• Issue Brief: Child Labor. Business for Social Responsibility. December 2003.Retrieved September 29 2006 from: http://www.bsr.org/CSRResources/IssueBriefDetail.cfm?DocumentID=49773
• Youth and Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved September 29 2006 from:http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/

More papers on Child Labor Laws:

• Essay # 88641 : "Child Labor Laws"
• Comparison Essay # 2653 : "Child Labor Laws in Nineteenth Century England"
• Research Paper # 4339 : "Child Labor and the Industrial Revolution"

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