Campaign on Linkages

Events>Planning Meeting Research on Child Labour

Symposia on linkages: How do we bridge the gap?
19th October 2001, Washington DC, USA

Symposia on linkages: How do we bridge the gap?
10th October 2001, London, UK

Implementation Issues vs. Expansion of the WTO 
March 24, 2001, New Delhi, India

Round Table: The Social Clause and Linkage at the WTO: What is at Stake?
December 16, 2000, New Delhi, India

CUTS’ Panel Discussion on Linkages: Are Trade Sanctions A Part Of Legitimate Instruments For Elimination Of Child Labour?
November 14, 2000, Durban, South Africa 14:30hrs-16: 30 Hrs

CUTS’ Panel Discussion: Labour Linkage From The view  Point of Trade Sanctions
June29,2000,Geneva

Planning Meeting Research on Child Labour
June 18, 2000, Jaipur, India

Planning Meeting: Research on child labour in South Asia,
Jaipur, June 18, 2000
CUTS-CITEE, Jaipur

The child is a soul with a being, a nature and capacities of its own, who must be helped to find them, to grow into their maturity, into a fullness of physical and vital energy and the utmost breadth, depth and height of its emotional, intellectual and spiritual being; otherwise there cannot be a healthy growth of the nation.”

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

THE RESEARCH ON CHILD LABOUR IN SOUTH ASIA

 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The issue of linkage between trade and labour standards in the WTO is not new, though it is well defined and narrow. The attempt to regulate market processes through an imposition of desirable minimum standards is a part of the balance, which is sought to be struck between competitive economy and social concerns. The linkage between international trade and minimum or core labour standards came into sharp focus during the finalization of the new GATT and proposals for WTO in 1994. One of the causes for the failure of the Seattle Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation, was a polarized position of the North and South on the issue of incorporating labour standards into trade accords.

The demand for anchoring of Social Clause in the WTO has evolved over the years. Some of the industrialized countries and members of the civil society are pushing for incorporating them into the WTO. While many in both the developed and developing countries and civil society are against the incorporation of sanctions into the multilateral trading regime. They fear that the sanction might be a route for protectionism and on the other hand there are many who feel that only adoption of such standards can translate liberalized trade into fair trade. Another section feels that amending trade rules to include non-trade issues would not address these issues justifiably, as WTO is opaque. 

Pursuant to this mandate, CUTS has undertaken a project to build capacities of civil society and policy makers, especially in the North, to comprehend the complex socio-economic issues that are currently not reflected in the ongoing debate on linkages. The focus of this programme is to facilitate effective evidence-based dialogue in order to help the North and South of the linkages debate to understand each other’s positions better. The goal is to reduce the heat and tension with the hope that the problems are addressed in a fair manner leading to equity and sustainability.

Child Labour

One of the major issues which dominate the on linkage between trade and labour standards is the issue of child labour. The emotional reaction towards this problem shown by the west, by adopting boycott of goods made by them, has in fact exacerbated the problem rather than finding solutions, like in the garment industry in Bangladesh, football industry in Pakistan, bidi industry in India etc. Child labour is a complex socio-economic issue that has been recognised by the international community as a serious problem and hindrance towards achieving sustainable development. According to the International Labour Organisation, about 250 million children, belonging to the age group 5-14 are working full time (and in secondary occupations) in developing countries. South Asia is the most affected region. 

The governments of South Asian countries are trying to deal with the issue. However, their capacities are constrained by, among others, rising population growth, inadequate resources, absence of universal education system, corrupt bureaucracy, regressive social norms etc. For example, the Government of India, along with ILO and many civil society organisations, is currently undertaking programmes to eradicate child labour in hazardous activities. However, its effectiveness was marred due to several factors, including the necessity of sustaining a minimum standard of living, which often requires children of affected families to be employed. In a pilot study done by Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) (based on a small sample of 92 children working in carpet making industry in Rajasthan, India), it was found that a child worker’s earning matched with the expenditure made by her/his family on meeting her/his basic necessities of life, like food.

For an objective understanding of the problem and its solution, it is necessary to appreciate the basic cause of the phenomenon, that is the widespread poverty syndrome which keeps large sections of Indian population in misery and pessimism about the future. The tenacity of the problem is not related only to prevailing poverty, but also with associated features of underdevelopment as illiteracy, population, malnutrition, unemployment and the constant pressure for livelihood. This problem also derives from certain inherent socio-economic traditions and factors. 

A pilot study was conducted by CUTS with a small sample of 92, with the child labour in carpet industry in Rajasthan. The study was conducted to find out the cause and remedies for the problem of child labour in India. It managed to gather considerable information on the incidence of illegal labour, and its cost competitive implications. But it is felt that there is need for more broad-based data collection. We plan to apply the pilot survey in South Asia. The empirical analysis can be designed to facilitate the following:

• Document information on the age, hours, wage rates and literacy level of the child workers
• Document income levels of the families of these child workers
• Estimate the cost-saving to the employers by employing child labour
• The nature of choice faced by the child or the parents

THE RESEARCH ON CHILD LABOUR IN SOUTH ASIA

Objective

The objective of the study is to study the causes of child labour and the enforcement laws and conventions regarding children in general and child labour in particular. 

• To contribute to the debate on sustainable development and poverty reduction through participation of concerned agencies at local, national, regional as well as international level.
• To estimate the costs of displacement of child labour in four countries of South Asia (Nepal, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan).
• To analyse the effectiveness of domestic policy instruments undertaken by these countries while addressing the issue of child labour and its relationship with poverty eradication, and thus, fostering regional cooperation on human development.
• To create a reliable database on child labour as a corollary of research.
• To create an enabling environment for different stakeholders to discuss research findings at the regional level and generating awareness in the developed world by taking them to the international community through organising dialogues. 

Issues 

The ongoing issues in this controversial debate on this emotional issue, for consideration under this study  are:

• Economic compulsion (poverty) forces children to work rather than go to school
• Differential/lower wage levels exist for child worker as compared to adult worker
• While children are abused in the poor countries by making them work etc, in rich countries children are victims of negligence and social disarray caused by an increasing consumer culture
• In many occupations such as gem cutting or fisheries or agriculture vocational training starts at an early age

Questions 

The questions in the present state of affairs in international trade which are to be taken into account for the proposed study are:

• Whether trade sanctions would help in eradicating child labour?
• What will be the cost for such eradication in different countries?
• Whether eradication would lead to higher costs thereby affecting competitiveness of products from these industries?
• Whether children would get decent work in a poor country when they have grown up as educated persons?
• Whether children’s rights are being protected in all countries?

Structure Of Analysis 

The structure of analysis for carrying out this study according to the objective, issues and questions is proposed to be as:

• Analyse the extent of child labour in specific industries in specific countries
• Analyse and estimate the cost of displacement of child labour in select developing countries.
• Analyse through specific studies based on developed countries’ consumers and governments responses. 
• Analyse the rights of children across the countries of North and South.

Structure Of Studying Child Labour In A Particular Industry

Organised by:
CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics &Environment
D-217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302 016, India 
Ph: 91-141-2282482 (4 Lines), Fax: 91-141-2282823
Email: cutsjpr@sancharnet.in

Venue: 
CUTS Office
Jaipur, India

CONTACT US

CUTS Centre For International Trade, Economics & Environment (CITEE)

D–217,  Bhaskar Marg,  Bani  Park, 

Jaipur  302 016,  India,

Ph: +91(0)141-228 2821-3

Fx: +91(0)141-228 2485  

Email: cuts@cuts.org