Labor Laws: A Comparative Study of the International Labor Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund Brooh Hailu

Brief Overview  International labor laws need a need an enhancement to have a more effective system  There are multiple theories as to why Labor exploitation still exists today  UNICEF provides an example of an effective organization that the ILO could follow

Labor Exploitation Theories  Race to the Bottom  Steven L. Willborn- Competition as a force that puts pressure on costs of labor  Redistribution of Wealth  Alin Criotoru- Unequal incomes are the results of unequal marginal productivity of workers  Cultures and Norms  Heather Murray- Labor work in some nations is often viewed as a family matter

The International Labor Organization (ILO)  What is the International Labor Organization?  An international body that seeks to maintain labor cohesion by setting and developing labor standards all over the world.  Objectives  1) Promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and right at work  2) Create greater opportunities for women and men to decent employment and income  3) Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all  4) Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue

Gulf States and the ILO  States which border the Persian Gulf, namely Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)  Kafala System نظام الكفالة  Requires a migrant worker to be sponsored by a citizen, resident or government agency.  Barrier to ILO efforts  Most of the Gulf States choose not to ratify ILO conventions

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Quick Facts  Founded in 1946  Became a specialized fund of the UN in 1953  Present in more than 190 countries worldwide today  Works through private donations, sponsorships, and partnerships

UNICEF continued  Objective  To provide longer term assistance  Survival, nutrition, health, environmental safety, and education  Protection from violence, exploitation and abuse  The Implementation Handbook for the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 4:  “All appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures must be taken, and those measures shall be undertaken to the maximum extent of their available resources and where needed, within the framework of international cooperation”.

Analytical Comparison UNICEF as an example for the ILO  Implementation:  UNICEF  Data collection- Accurate representation to make appropriate plans  Country specific- Works with national governments and NGOs in developing and executing plans to ensure compatibility  ILO  Data Collection- One size fits all  Country Specific- Study of Cultures

Conclusion  Enforcement:  ILO needs a system that is vigorous and effective  Repercussions to hold countries liable  Leading nations of the ILO like the U.S. should carry the responsibility of setting an example