Child Labor

Definition

Child labor refers to the employment of children in any work that deprives them of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful. It is a global issue that raises significant ethical concerns in the context of the global marketplace.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Child labor is a violation of human rights and a barrier to achieving sustainable development.
2. The ILO estimates that there are approximately 152 million child laborers worldwide, with the majority engaged in hazardous work.
3. Poverty, lack of access to quality education, and weak enforcement of labor laws are key drivers of child labor in many developing countries.
4. Multinational corporations have been criticized for sourcing products from suppliers that employ child labor, leading to increased scrutiny and pressure for ethical practices.
5. Addressing child labor requires a multifaceted approach, including strengthening legal frameworks, improving access to education, and supporting families to reduce economic dependence on child labor.

Review Questions

• Explain how child labor relates to the ethical issues in the global marketplace.
  • Child labor is a significant ethical issue in the global marketplace, as it deprives children of their basic rights and exposes them to harmful working conditions. Multinational corporations have faced criticism for sourcing products from suppliers that employ child labor, leading to increased scrutiny and pressure for more ethical practices. Addressing child labor requires a comprehensive approach that involves strengthening legal frameworks, improving access to education, and supporting families to reduce economic dependence on child labor.
• Describe the role of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in addressing child labor.
  • The International Labor Organization (ILO) is a United Nations agency that plays a crucial role in addressing child labor. The ILO sets international labor standards and promotes social protection and work opportunities for all. It has established conventions, such as the Minimum Age Convention and the Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention, which aim to eliminate the most exploitative forms of child labor. The ILO also works with governments, employers, and workers' organizations to develop and implement policies and programs to combat child labor, including through monitoring, awareness-raising, and capacity-building efforts.
• Analyze how corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be used to address child labor in the global supply chain.
  • Corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be a valuable tool in addressing child labor in the global supply chain. By adopting and implementing robust CSR policies, multinational corporations can take responsibility for the social and environmental impacts of their operations, including the practices of their suppliers. This can involve conducting due diligence to identify and address child labor risks, collaborating with local communities and civil society organizations to develop solutions, and leveraging their influence to drive systemic change. Effective CSR measures can help companies improve transparency, strengthen supplier monitoring, and invest in initiatives that promote access to quality education and family support, ultimately contributing to the elimination of child labor in the global marketplace.

Related terms

Exploitation: The act of using someone or something in an unethical or unjust manner for one's own advantage or benefit.

International Labor Organization (ILO): A United Nations agency that sets international labor standards and promotes social protection and work opportunities for all.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): A business approach that considers the social, environmental, and economic impacts of a company's operations and seeks to create a positive change.