201. The Global Child Labor Problem : What Do We Know and What Can We Do?
- Author
-
Zafiris Tzannatos and Kaushik Basu
- Subjects
TRADE LIBERALIZATION ,CARPET INDUSTRY ,PUBLIC SERVICE ,CHILDHOOD ,ECONOMIC GROWTH ,EFFICIENCY WAGE THEORY ,ADOLESCENTS ,EXTERNALITIES ,Economics ,CHILD WORKER ,Convention on the Rights of the Child ,LABOUR STANDARDS ,WORKING CONDITIONS ,UNEMPLOYMENT ,INCOME ,PRODUCTIVITY ,CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD ,INDIAN CHILDREN ,CHILD LABOR DETERRENCE ACT ,JOBS ,HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION ,Labor relations ,Social protection ,CHILD EDUCATION ,INVESTIGATIONS ,OCCUPATION ,FORCED LABOR ,YOUNGER SIBLINGS ,LABOR SUPPLY ,FINANCIAL MARKETS ,LIVING STANDARDS ,Development ,DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS ,LABOR RELATIONS ,UNEMPLOYED ,ARMED CONFLICT ,PARENTAL EDUCATION ,WAGES ,Minimum wage ,AGE GROUPS ,LABOR MARKET ,INTERNATIONAL CHILD LABOR STANDARDS ,CHILD PARTICIPATION ,HAZARDOUS CHILD LABOR ,Child labour ,EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT ,HUMAN RIGHTS ,MARKET WAGES ,PUBLIC OPINION ,MARKET WAGE ,MINIMUM WAGE ,HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS ,LABOR LAWS ,WAGE DETERMINATION ,LABOUR OFFICE ,Core Labor Standards ,Economic growth ,INVESTIGATION ,WAGE DIFFERENTIAL ,CHILD WORKERS ,FREE TRADE ,ECONOMIC THEORY ,LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION ,HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ,OLDER SIBLINGS ,PARENTS ,ACCOUNT ,The labor problem ,POLITICAL ECONOMY ,EMPLOYING CHILDREN ,INCOME DISTRIBUTION ,LABORERS ,CHILD LABOR ,APPRENTICESHIP ,WORKING CHILDREN ,CORE LABOR STANDARDS ,CHILD LABOUR ,CHILD LABOR LAWS ,CHILD LABOR FORCE ,LABOR ECONOMICS ,HUMAN CAPITAL ,HAZARDOUS LABOR ,ORPHANS ,INSURANCE ,CHILD WELFARE ,BARGAINING ,Economics and Econometrics ,MULTIPLE EQUILIBRIA ,SOCIAL PROTECTION ,HOUSEHOLD INCOME ,CHILD WORK ,GUARDIANS ,WAGE RATE ,Human capital ,INTERNATIONAL LAW ,LEGISLATION ,CHILD LABOR DECLINE ,UNEMPLOYMENT RATES ,Accounting ,UNSKILLED WORKERS ,Development economics ,LABOR STANDARDS ,BONDED LABOR ,LABOR MARKETS ,PROSTITUTION ,RIGHTS OF THE CHILD ,ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ,ECONOMICS ,LABOR FORCE ,ADVERSE EFFECTS ,PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY ,CHILD LABOR STANDARDS ,LABOUR STUDY ,SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ,WORKING HOURS ,DEBT BONDAGE ,Finance ,ADVISORY SERVICES - Abstract
The problem of child labor has moved from a matter of regional and national concern to one of international debate and possible global persuasion and policy intervention. In crafting policy for mitigating this enormous problem of our times, it is important to start with a proper theoretical and empirical understanding of the phenomenon. What gives rise to child labor, and what are its consequences? What interventions might end child labor without hurting children? A well-meaning but poorly designed policy can exacerbate the poverty in which these laboring children live, even leading to starvation. The article surveys the large and rapidly growing literature on this subject, focusing mainly on the new literature based on modern economic theory and econometrics. It also looks at some of the broad policy implications of these new findings, with the objective of contributing to better informed discussion and policy design.
- Published
- 2003