International Labour Mobility and Child Work in Developing Countries

THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE “LIGHT WORK” PROVISION OF CONVENTION NO. 138

Obiter ◽

10.17159/obiter.v35i3.11789 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Rufaro Audrey Mavunga

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Historical Development ◽

Historical Context ◽

Child Work ◽

Minimum Age ◽

Different Cultures ◽

General Wellbeing

The Minimum Age Convention no. 138 of 1973 in Article 7 provides that children between the ages of 13 and 15 years may be permitted to undertake a permissible form of child work, namely: light work. Such work should not prejudice the education, health or the general wellbeing of the child. Article 7 does not, however, define or clarify what actually qualifies as light work. The light work provision also seems incompatible with the realities of many developing countries and the values prioritized in different cultures as it seems to place an unnecessarily strict prohibition of work by children below the age of 13 years. Although there seems to be confusion regarding this concept the light work provision is best understood in its historical context. The light work provision first appeared in the Minimum Age (Agricultural) Convention no. 10 of 1921 and was further developed in the Minimum Age (Industry) Convention no. 33 of 1932. Convention no. 138 thereafter revised such conventions with a less detailed description of the concept causing confusion and uncertainty about permissible forms of child work.

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Reasons behind Child Labor in Bangladesh: Case & Policy Analysis

Global Journal of Human-Social Science ◽

10.34257/gjhssavol21is13pg43 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 43-50

Author(s):

Tasnuva Sharmin ◽

Nashiba Nawor

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Policy Analysis ◽

Child Labor ◽

Child Work ◽

Basic Rights ◽

Labor Legislation ◽

The Government ◽

Effective Remedy

Bangladesh's socioeconomic realities include the problem of child labor. This is a huge problem that cannot be overlooked. In this study, I looked at the elements that contribute to child labor in Bangladesh. Poverty is the primary cause of children working as child laborers. The issue of child labor has become one of the most prominent challenges in developing countries. To put an end to this, societies and governments must act together. The government, in particular, must ensure that citizens' basic rights are protected. Following that, the implementation of child labor legislation and a social boycott of child work would be an effective remedy.

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