Concept and definition Child Labour Concept and definition Summer School in Development Economics Prato June 22, 2017

Concept of Child Labour Objective: Discuss : definition of CL and related concepts procedural operationalization of these concepts in the measurement of CL

Concept of Child Labour Steps in the discussion the international legal framework towards a statistical definition of CL CL as a subset of “working children” extension of CL definition to a broader concept and universal consensus Main instruments for generating information on child labour

Concept of Child Labour Child labour is a legal rather than statistical concept, and the international legal standards that define it are therefore the necessary frame of reference for child labour statistics. The three principal international conventions on child labour – ILO Convention No. 138 (Minimum Age) (C138), United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), ILO Convention No. 182 (Worst Forms) (C182) together set the legal boundaries for child labour, and provide the legal basis for national and international actions against it.

The international legal framework ILO Convention Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Applies to all economic sectors and to all working children, whether they are employed for wages or working on their own account. It is the most comprehensive and authoritative international definition of minimum age for admission to employment (being at work).

The international legal framework ILO Convention on WFCL, 1999 (No. 182) No “flexibility clauses” – makes no distinction between developed and developing countries, and applies to all girls and boys younger than 18 years.

The international legal framework WFCL, as defined in Article 3 (No. 182) all forms of slavery/practices similar to slavery use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, pornography, etc. use, procurement or offering of a child for illicit activities, particularly trafficking in drugs, etc. work that is likely to harm the health, safety, or morals of children

The international legal framework Two categories of WFCL worst forms of child labour other than hazardous work (first three category, previous slide) hazardous work (last category, previous slide)

The international legal framework Hazardous work exposes children to physical, psychological, or sexual abuse underground, under water, at dangerous heights, and in confined spaces with dangerous machinery, or involves manual handling of heavy loads in unhealthy environments that expose children to health hazards under particularly difficult conditions (e.g. long hours) or if freedom confined

The international legal framework United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child, 1989 Defines a child as as an individual under the age of 18 years.

Towards a statistical definition of CL

Concept of Child Labour Towards a statistical definition of CL CL is as a subset of economic activities (i.e. “employment”) performed by children, in line with the ILO definition of employment for adults. Debate on a wider concept of “Child Labour” to include certain non-economic activities– mainly, domestic chores.

Concept of Child Labour The resolution adopted at the 18th ICLS in 2008 represents first-ever global standards for measuring child labour. The resolution states that: “child labour may be measured in terms of the engagement of children in productive activities either on the basis of the general production boundary, or on the basis of the SNA production boundary”

Concept of Child Labour System of National Accounts (SNA) (Rev. 1993)

Concept of Child Labour The ICLS resolution states that, for the purpose of statistical measurement, children engaged in child labour include all persons aged 5 to 17 years who, during a specified time period, were engaged in one or more of the following categories of activities: (a) worst forms of child labour (b) employment below the minimum age, and (c) hazardous unpaid household services, applicable where the general production boundary is used as the measurement framework.

Concept of Child Labour Tables 1 and 2 explain the steps in CL identification as adopted for ILO/SIMPOC new global estimates on CL.

Concept of Child Labour Requires a national policy for the effective abolition of child labour (Art. 1) Requires a specification of minimum age (Art. 2) ILO Minimum Age Convention No. 138 Table 1 General minimum age specifications Exceptions for developing countries Basic Minimum Age (Art. 2) 15 years 14 years Hazardous work (Art. 3) 18 years (16 years conditionally) NO EXCEPTION Light work (Art. 7) 13-15 years 12 years

Concept of Child Labour Table 2

Concept of Child Labour These steps are consistent with the measurement framework adopted at the 18th International Conference of Labour Statisticians

ICLS framework for statistical identification of child labour Age group General production boundary SNA production Non-SNA production (1a) Light work3 (1b) Regular work4 Worst forms of child labour (3a) Hazardous unpaid household services1 (3b) Other non- production (2a) Hazardous work (2b) Worst forms of child labour other than hazardous work Children below the minimum age specified for light work (for example, 5–11 years)2 Employment below the minimum age for light work Employment below the general minimum working age Employment in industries and occupations designated as hazardous, or work for long hours and/or at night in industries and occupations not designated as hazardous Children trafficked for work; forced and bonded child labour; commercial sexual exploitation of children; use of children for illicit activities and armed conflict Unpaid household services for long hours; involving unsafe equipment or heavy loads; in dangerous locations; etc. Children within the age range specified for light work (for example, 12–14 years)2 Children at or above the general minimum working age (for example, 15–17 years)2 1 (3a) is applicable where the general production boundary is used as the measurement framework for child labour. 2 Age-group limits may differ across countries depending upon the national circumstances. 3 Where applicable at the national level. 4 Children in employment other than those covered under columns (1a), (2a) and (2b). ICLS framework for statistical identification of child labour = Child labour

Evidence

The 12-year period beginning in 2000 was one of significant progress against child labour. - 78 million fewer child labourers - Progress against hazardous work was even more rapid, falling by over 85 million; - Children’s employment fell by more than 87 million Figure. Percentage of children in child labour and hazardous work, 5-17 years age group, 2000-2012

Source: (a) ILO/IPEC Global Child Labour estimates The decline in child labour over the 2000-2012 period extended to all age groups, but was particularly pronounced among younger children Figure. Age-specific trends in children’s involvement in child labour, 2000-2012 Source: (a) ILO/IPEC Global Child Labour estimates

Figure. Changes in % children in employment, selected LAC countries Past evidence suggests progress can be precarious and subject to reversals. The global economic crisis could have an impact on observed trends in several countries. Figure. Changes in % children in employment, selected LAC countries Source: UCW Country Statistics

Children’s employment is concentrated overwhelmingly in unpaid family work Figure. Children’s status in employment , 7-14 years age group, most recent year(a)

Most child labourers are found in the agriculture sector Figure. Children’s sector of employment , 7-14 years age group,(a) most recent year(b) Notes: (a) Refers to 10-14 years age group; (b) 2006 or more recent Source: UCW Country Statistics

Simple comparisons of the school attendance suggest that child labourers have greater difficulty in attending school. Figure. School attendance disadvantage of children in employment, 7−14 years age group, selected countries

But school attendance alone is an incomplete indicator of the compatibility between education and child labour. Child labour is also associated with lower levels of academic performance for those child labourers attending school. Figure. School performance (as measured by repetition) and children’s employment, 24 countries