Eliminating International Child Labor: U.S. and International Initiatives

Publication Date: February 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Human rights

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Abstract:

International child labor has become an increasingly important issue in discussions concerning international trade, human rights and foreign aid. While a number of international, national and local initiatives seek to abolish the practice, there continues to be a debate on what constitutes child labor. Some consider any work undertaken by children to be child labor, while others may use the term to refer to work under abusive conditions. The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines child labor as a form of work that is inherently hazardous, employs children below the internationally recognized minimum age, or is exploitative. Child labor is used in this report as defined by the ILO. According to the ILO about 246 million children were engaged in child labor in 2000. Some 186 million child laborers were below the age of 15, and approximately 110 million were below the age of 12.

While awareness of the issue has increased, the ability to address the complex problem has been complicated by a number of related issues including, rising poverty, surging HIV/AIDS infection rates, and a lack of relevant education. News stories have featured children working in export industries (such as textiles, clothing, carpets and footwear) and caused international uproar. While the news stories have contributed to a heightened awareness about the problem of international child labor, the ILO has found that child workers in export industries are relatively few compared to those employed in activities geared to domestic consumption.

Congressional support for the abolition of international child labor, particularly the worst forms of child labor, is very strong. Congress has funded programs to combat international child labor, initiated bills that expand the United States' role in the global fight against child labor, and included clauses that require action on eliminating child labor in international trade agreements. Although Congress has consistently boosted American efforts to eliminate child labor world-wide, there are a number of issues that continue to impede these efforts, including: ineffective enforcement mechanisms; sparse monitoring systems; and insufficient funding for programs that alleviate poverty, decrease incidences of HIV/AIDS, and increase access to relevant education. This report will discuss the ILO definition of child labor, outline the scope of the problem, explain the difficulties in eliminating it, describe U.S. and international efforts to counter exploitative child labor, and present some issues Congress may consider. This report will be updated as events warrant.