Child labor is widespread and bad for development, both that of the individual child and of the society and economy in which she or he lives. If allowed to persist to the current
extent, child labor will prevent the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of halving poverty and achieving Education for All. Nearly all of the world’s governments have
ratified international human rights conventions which call for the elimination of child labor and the provision of universal primary education. Fulfilling these commitments is of critical
importance for development.
This paper reviews the international legal framework relating to child labor and access to education and provides a statistical portrait of child labor and education participation. It looks at why children work from the perspective of household decision making. Various policy options are considered, including those which improve the incentives
to education relative to labor, remove constraints to schooling, and increase education participation through legislation. Conclusions are drawn in the final section.
extent, child labor will prevent the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of halving poverty and achieving Education for All. Nearly all of the world’s governments have
ratified international human rights conventions which call for the elimination of child labor and the provision of universal primary education. Fulfilling these commitments is of critical
importance for development.
This paper reviews the international legal framework relating to child labor and access to education and provides a statistical portrait of child labor and education participation. It looks at why children work from the perspective of household decision making. Various policy options are considered, including those which improve the incentives
to education relative to labor, remove constraints to schooling, and increase education participation through legislation. Conclusions are drawn in the final section.