Child labour - Sustainable Solutions

The real solutions to child labour undoubtedly lie in holistic sustainable development of all the countries of the world. The repercussions of the global economic and social trends have affected children most severely and it is of utmost importance that the best interests of children are placed firmly in the centre of all decisions making exercises. What is even more important is the participation of children when decisions regarding them are being carried out so that they can ensure that those decisions ensure their immediate and long-term well-being.

While there is a fairly comprehensive understanding about why children work – the commitment to find lasting solutions is very inadequate. The ILO Convention 182 is a very limited – perhaps even detrimental – response to the complex issue of child labour. An approach which is developed around ‘worse case scenarios’ can never lead to a long term, child centred approach to child labour. While punitive actions are required in cases of extreme violation – unless and until matters related to viable alternatives to child labour - both short term and long term - are in place, punitive action against employers of children can only push child labour into increasingly invisible and exploitative forms of work.

In most countries where programmes are being formulated on the framework of ILO 182, the rehabilitation of children is rarely thought through. Most working children express trauma after their ‘release’ and speak out strongly about the little or no support they receive after being removed from work. As the basic reason which led them to work remain unresolved, they return to labour. The attention on worse forms of labour deals with a ‘disaster management’ approach that does not take into consideration preventing marginalisation of communities and children. It does not ensure that authorities commit themselves to people centred development, which is the only way child labour can be addressed and a meaningful childhood be ensured.

Our own experience has shown that it is possible to create Child Labour Free Areas with a comprehensive decentralised approach which has been developed in partnership with children and members of the local communities. In these communities, children have themselves defined ‘work they can and cannot do’ and their lists have been developed in connection with the various occupations children are involved in as seen within the framework of children’s developmental milestones. These lists form their guidelines to declare an area child labour free. Children themselves are an integral part of the monitoring processes.

While adequate resources are a must to address child labour, there is also an urgent need for realistic, child centred, innovative and sustainable strategies – from the local to the international level. The International Working Group on Child Labour (IWGCL) has examined such strategies in 36 countries of the world and has a wealth of information. In its discussion document, the IWGCL "Have we asked the children?" The international and national policies are examined from the perspective of children. It is obvious that the policies shamefully fall short of children’s expectations and fail to address even their immediate and urgent needs.

The challenge before the World Summit is to ensure that the working children of the world are not further marginalised. That the representatives of the working children of the world are consulted when policy matters affecting their lives are being discussed. That the strategies to address child labour are decentralised and local specific. That all children have access to education that is appropriate and empowering. That all the communities of the world achieve a quality of life in which children are able to realise their rights.