Working Towards the Eradication of Child Labour: An Analysis of the Legal Framework with Case-studies of Pakistan, India, Indonesia, China, UK and USA

This book is concerned with the most important source of child exploitation. It considers the eradication of the worst forms of child labour and the protection of the right of the child workers as a core labour, human rights and international trade law issue. The worst forms of child labour as set out in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No.182 on Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour 1999, including hazardous work, prostitution, child pornography, child soldiering and child trafficking, are endemic in the developing countries but some of them persist in the most developed countries. Therefore, this book examines the nature and scale of the problem in developing and developed countries. Further, it observes the role of child labour and the legislation pertaining to it. It explores what would be the best forum, mechanisms, strategies and instruments for the eradication of the worst forms of child labour. With this view, it investigates the roles actions and potential of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the role of International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the effectiveness of WTO and ILO mechanisms in combating the worst forms of child labour. It identifies lacunas in child labour legislation and considers the difficulties in its enforcement. The book evaluates legal standards for the protection of child workers at the international and national levels. It analyses the discrepancy between law and practice and how different factors undermine the impact of legislation and its proper enforcement in the developed and developing countries. It recommends reforms and need for comprehensive legal framework for enforcing the relevant laws, which would strengthen the legal safeguards for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour and for improving their core labour rights. Finally, it will make recommendations for evolving a future plan of action for the effective promotion and protection of rights in relation to child workers. The book provides useful material for the policy makers (professional bodies) academics and legal advisers. The professional bodies, academics, national authorities and international organisations will find an in depth analysis of current laws and guidelines on how to control the economic exploitation of children and how to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. Legal advisers will find useful suggestions and technical indications which will facilitate their practice. Students will learn about the new trends and directions in this area of law and will find practical advice on how to be protectors of the rights of child workers. The book will provide supplementary material for a variety of courses, including: International Trade Law, International Core Labour Standards and Employment and Labour Laws.