PRINCIPLE FIVE
Businesses should uphold the effective abolition of child labour.
Child Labour
Child labour has occurred at some point in time in virtually all parts of the world as nations have undergone different stages of development. It remains a serious issue today in many developing countries - although it also exists (more invisibly) in the developed, industrialised countries where it occurs for example in some immigrant communities.
Forced labour deprives societies of the opportunity to develop human resources for the modern labour market, and to develop skills and educate children for the labour markets of tomorrow. The debilitating consequences of forced labour are felt by the individual, in particular by children, as well as by the economy itself since the degradation of human capital and social stability results in insecure investments.
Child labour deprives children of their childhood and their dignity. Many of the children work long hours for low or no wages, often under conditions harmful to their health, physical and mental development. They are deprived of an education and may be separated from their families. Children who do not complete their primary education are likely to remain illiterate and never acquire the skills needed to get a job and contribute to the development of a modern economy. Consequently child labour results in scores of under-skilled, unqualified workers and jeopardises future improvements of skills in the workforce.
Child labour occurs because of the pressures of poverty and lack of development, but also simply as a result of exploitation. It exists both in the formal and in the informal economy. However, it is in the latter case where the majority of the worst forms of child labour are found.
Although children enjoy the same human rights as adults, their lack of knowledge, experience and power means that they also have distinct rights by virtue of their age. These rights include protection from economic exploitation and work that may be dangerous to their health or morals and that may hinder their development. This does not mean that children should not be allowed to work, rather that there are standards that distinguish what constitutes acceptable or unacceptable work for children at different ages and stages of their development.
Employers should not use child labour in ways that are socially unacceptable and that lead to a child losing his or her educational opportunities. The complexity of the issue of child labour means that companies need to address the issue sensitively, and not take action which may force working children into more exploitative forms of work. Nevertheless, as Principle 5 states, the goal of all companies should be the abolition of child labour within their sphere of influence.
It is useful to mention that the use of child labour can damage a company's reputation. This is especially true in the case of transnational companies who have extensive supply and service chains, where the economic exploitation of children, even by a business partner, can damage a brand image and have strong repercussions on profit and stock value.
Definitions
ILO conventions recommend a minimum age for admission to employment or work that must not be less than the age for completing compulsory schooling, and in any case not less than 15 years. Lower ages are permitted - generally in countries where economic and educational facilities are less well-developed the minimum age is 14 years and 13 years for 'light work'. On the other hand the minimum age for hazardous work is higher at 18 years.
| Developed countries | Developing countries | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Work | 13 Years | Light Work | 12 Years |
| Regular Work | 15 Years | Regular Work | 14 Years |
| Hazardous Work | 18 Years | Hazardous Work | 18 Years |
Priority is given to eliminating, for all persons under the age of 18, the worst forms of child labour, including hazardous types of work or employment. The worst forms of child labour are defined as -
- all forms of slavery - this includes the trafficking of children, debt bondage, forced and compulsory labour, and the use of children in armed conflict;
- the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic purposes;
- the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular the production and trafficking of drugs; and
- work which is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of the child as a consequence of its nature or the circumstances under which it is carried out.
Strategies for Companies
Developing an awareness and understanding of the causes and consequences of child labour is the first step that a company can take toward action against child labour. This means identifying the issues and determining whether or not child labour is a problem within the business. Companies sourcing in specific industry sectors with geographically distant supply chains need to be particularly vigilant.Forced labour deprives societies of the opportunity to develop human resources for the modern labour market, and to develop skills and educate children for the labour markets of tomorrow. The debilitating consequences of forced labour are felt by the individual, in particular by children, as well as by the economy itself since the degradation of human capital and social stability results in insecure investments.
However, discovering if child labour is being used can be difficult, for example in the case where documents or records are absent, and companies may consider using local non-governmental organisations, development organisations or UN agencies to assist in this process.
If an occurrence of child labour is identified, the children need to be removed from the workplace and provided with viable alternatives. These measures often include enrolling the children in schools and offering income-generating alternatives for the parents or above-working age members of the family. Companies need to be aware that, without support, children may be forced into worse circumstances such as prostitution, and that, in some instances where children are the sole providers of income, their immediate removal from work may exacerbate rather than relieve the hardship.
Actions
What can business do concretely?
In the workplace
- adhere to minimum age provisions of national labour laws and regulations and, where national law is insufficient, take account of international standards
- use adequate and verifiable mechanisms for age verification in recruitment procedures
- when children below the legal working age are found in the workplace, take measures that provide for their removal along with adequate services and viable alternatives both for the children and their families
- exercise influence on subcontractors, suppliers and other business affiliates to combat child labour
- develop and implement mechanisms to detect child labour
- make sure adult workers are given secure employment and decent wages
and working conditions so that they do not need to send their children to work
In the community
- assist in the development of guidelines by sectoral industrial associations and small to medium sized enterprises
- support and help design educational, vocational training, and counselling programmes for working children, and skills training for parents of working children
- encourage and assist in launching supplementary health and nutrition programmes for children removed from dangerous work, and provide medical care to cure children of occupational diseases and malnutrition
