06/06/2025
Certainly! Here's a comprehensive academic write-up on child labour that includes all the requested sections:
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Abstract
Child labour remains a pervasive global issue that undermines children's rights, development, and education. Despite international conventions and national legislation aimed at its eradication, millions of children continue to engage in hazardous and exploitative work. This study critically examines the concept and theories of child labour, evaluating its merits and limitations. It also offers a conceptual framework that explores socio-economic, cultural, and political dimensions of the problem. By analysing current laws and policies, the study identifies gaps and provides comprehensive recommendations to eliminate child labour. Emphasis is placed on multi-sectoral approaches, including poverty alleviation, educational reform, and stringent enforcement of labour laws.
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Introduction
Child labour is defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, potential, dignity, and is harmful to physical and mental development. While some forms of child work may be culturally accepted, especially in agrarian economies, exploitative labour interferes with education and violates human rights. The persistence of child labour is closely linked to poverty, lack of access to quality education, and weak legal enforcement. Despite global efforts by the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF, and national governments, the challenge remains significant in many developing countries.
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Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to critically explore the concept and theories surrounding child labour, assess the merits and limitations of existing approaches, and propose realistic, sustainable solutions. It seeks to contribute to policy discourse and advocacy efforts aimed at eliminating child labour in compliance with national and international legal frameworks.
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Conceptual Framework
Several theories provide insight into child labour:
Economic Theory: Posits that child labour results from household poverty and the economic need for all members to contribute.
Sociological Theory: Focuses on cultural norms and traditions that normalize child work, particularly in rural communities.
Human Capital Theory: Emphasizes the long-term economic loss caused by denying children education.
Dependency Theory: Argues that child labour in developing countries is a result of global capitalist exploitation.
While these theories help explain the persistence of child labour, they often overlook individual agency, local resistance, and informal economic structures.
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Merits and Limitations
Merits:
In certain contexts, child work helps families survive.
Children may acquire practical skills through work.
Limitations:
Denies children access to education.
Exposes them to exploitation, abuse, and health hazards.
Entrenches cycles of poverty and illiteracy.
Undermines national development goals.
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Legal Frameworks Governing Child Labour
Key legal instruments include:
ILO Convention No. 138 (Minimum Age Convention)
ILO Convention No. 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour)
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
National Labour Laws (e.g., Nigeria’s Labour Act, U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act)
Despite these, enforcement remains weak due to corruption, lack of resources, and socio-cultural resistance.
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Recommendations
1. Strengthen Enforcement: Governments must allocate resources for monitoring and enforcing child labour laws.
2. Universal Education: Provide free, compulsory education with incentives for poor families.
3. Poverty Reduction: Implement social protection programs targeting vulnerable families.
4. Community Engagement: Educate communities on the dangers of child labour.
5. International Collaboration: Strengthen cooperation among countries to regulate supply chains and prevent cross-border exploitation.
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Conclusion
Child labour is a multifaceted problem requiring holistic, context-specific solutions. While economic and cultural factors sustain it, legal and educational reforms can significantly reduce its incidence. A collaborative effort involving governments, NGOs, communities, and international bodies is essential to uphold children’s rights and eliminate child labour sustainably.
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References
International Labour Organization (2020). Global Estimates of Child Labour.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (2021). Child Labour: Global Trends and Road Forward.
Basu, K. & Van, P.H. (1998). “The Economics of Child Labour.” The American Economic Review, 88(3), 412-427.
Nigeria Labour Act, Cap L1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
United Nations (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child.
