child labor
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Classroom Module: Applying New Tactics resources to the topic of child labor

The goal of this module is to introduce students to the topic of child labor through a variety of resources, as well as critical engagement. Students will gain insight into the global scope of child labor, types of occupations of children, the physical and emotional impacts, and identify factors that contribute the existence of child labor.

Strategy for addressing child labor, sexual abuse and trafficking in the entertainment industry

Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) has worked to end child labor and trafficking in the circus industry. There is a serious problem of trafficking of young girls between Nepal and India (both countries are on the Tier 2 Watch list in U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report). The girls are trafficked for the purposes of slavery, including sexual slavery and prostitution.

Due to the socio – political situation in Nepal, coupled with illiteracy and ignorance, a large number of children (especially girls) are trafficked into India. Within India, the unorganized sectors like the entertainment industry, circuses, agriculture, brothels, etc., play a willing host to these victims, as a lot of industrial laws are not applicable in these sectors. There is little or no significant effort on the part of the government to prevent these practices. Thus, a pro-active initiative by the civil society sector was imperative in the prevention of abuse and exploitation in these sectors. The initiative was to involve the forces within the industry and ensure legal compliance and human rights' based approach for prevention of a social evil.

Embarrassing public officials to make them comply with child labor laws

In the mid-1990s the South Asian Coalition on Child Servitude publicly exposed the use of child domestic help by government officials in order to highlight the widespread problem of child servitude in India. When SACCS received information that an official’s household was engaging children as domestic help demonstrations were organized in front of officials’ residences to focus public attention on the practices of that particular household. Because of the embarrassment of the public spotlighting, the prime minister issued an order reinforcing the government’s stance that by no means could government officials employ child laborers.

Certifying companies based on an internationally recognizable standard to improve labor conditions

Social Accountability International (SAI) has developed a set of voluntary corporate social responsibility standards called SA 8000.  SA 8000 includes a code of conduct for labor conditions, based on established international standards, and a verification system to ensure compliance.  In order for a company to receive SA 8000 certification, it must pass monitoring inspections by SAI-c

Empowering children with information, skills and formal structures to advocate for their own rights

The Concerned for Working Children (CWC) facilitates the establishment of formal structures that allow children to advocate for their own rights.  Makkala Panchayats, Task Forces, and working children unions to promote children’s political participation in their communities.  Makkala Panchayats are children’s village councils that participate in the development of the village and that address the children’s concerns.  Task Forces are comprised of children and adults who work together to link the children and the local governments.  Working children unions are of and by working children.  The unions are powerful advocates of the rights of working children.  These tactics of organization-building empower working children to take part of the political space and decision-making process in their communities and help to eradicate child labor.

Providing parents with funds that allow them to send their children to school rather than to work

The Bolsa Escola program in Brazil provides families with a monthly stipend so that children can attend school instead of work in the streets. The program, which began in the city of Brasilia, was created with the realization that the working children of today are the poor adults of tomorrow. Bolsa Escola was expanded to a federal program in 2001.

Concentrating production of soccer balls in monitored facilities to prevent child labor

To verify that children are not working on the production process both inside and outside the factory, Reebok relies on the services of local human rights monitors who regularly, about twice monthly, inspect the production facilities. These monitors interview workers and supervise inspectors who oversee the shipments of panels in and out of the factories. They also maintain ties with the local community and visit surrounding villages to confirm that no Reebok balls are stitched outside the factories. As a result of these efforts, Reebok can now offer soccer balls labeled 'Guaranteed: Manufactured Without Child Labor.'