Child labor is a serious issue that continues to plague many countries around the world. Despite laws and regulations designed to protect children from exploitation¹, many companies continue to engage in the practice in order to cut costs and increase profits². This not only violates the rights of children, but also perpetuates poverty and hinders the development of entire communities.

One of the major industries where child labor is prevalent is agriculture. In many developing countries, small-scale farmers and rural communities rely on the labor of children to plant, harvest, and transport crops³. Children as young as five are often forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions, exposed to pesticides and other hazards. They are also at risk of injury from heavy machinery and equipment⁴.

Another industry where child labor is common is the garment and textile industry. Many companies outsource production to countries where labor laws are lax and wages are low, creating an environment in which child labor can thrive⁵. Children are often forced to work in factories for long hours, with little or no pay, and in dangerous conditions⁶. They are also at risk of abuse and exploitation.

The mining industry is also another sector where child labor is widely practiced. Children as young as six years old are often forced to work in mines, digging for minerals and other resources. They are exposed to hazardous chemicals, dangerous machinery, and poor ventilation, putting them at risk of injury and long-term health problems⁷.

Some of the biggest ways companies exploit children are through:

Lower wages: Children are often paid less than adult workers, making them a cheaper source of labor for companies. This allows companies to cut costs and increase profits⁸.

Longer working hours: Children are often made to work longer hours than adults, allowing companies to increase productivity and output⁹.

Lack of regulations: In many countries, child labor laws are not enforced or are easily circumvented. Companies may operate in these areas to take advantage of this lack of oversight and regulation, allowing them to engage in child labor without fear of consequences¹⁰.

Outsourcing: Many companies outsource production to countries where labor laws are lax and wages are low, creating an environment in which child labor can thrive. This allows companies to take advantage of cheap labor while avoiding responsibility for the exploitation of children¹¹.

Exploiting loopholes: Companies can take advantage of loopholes in labor laws, for example, by classifying children as "apprentices" or "trainees" rather than employees, to avoid paying them minimum wage or giving them the same rights as adult workers¹².

Exploiting vulnerable communities: Companies can take advantage of poverty and lack of education in certain communities, targeting children and families that are most vulnerable to exploitative labor practices¹³.

These are just a few examples. However, it's not just in developing countries where this issue occurs, even in developed countries, some companies have been known to overlook laws to exploit cheap labor, putting children at risk¹⁴.

It's time for companies to take responsibility for their actions and ensure that their supply chains are free from child labor. This can be achieved through implementing strict policies and conducting regular audits to monitor compliance¹⁵. You can also play a role by choosing to buy products from companies that have a proven track record of ethical sourcing.

Make a difference in the lives of children around the world. Sign the Child Labor Pledge today!

More on this issue:

1. Bureau of International Labor Affairs, "Child Labor, Forced Labor & Human Trafficking."
2. Siôn Phillpott, Career Addict (27 February 2019), "10 Companies that Still Use Child Labour."
3. University of California, Davis (20 October 2022), "Developing Countries and the Future of Small-scale Agriculture."
4. Bethany Matta, Human Rights Watch (14 July 2016), "“They Bear All the Pain” Hazardous Child Labor in Afghanistan."
5. Reliable Plant, Noria Corporation (2023), "How to avoid outsourcing problems related to child labor."
6. Ashrita Rau, The Borgen Project, "Child Labor In Vietnam."
7. Humanium, Olivier (6 April 2016) (6 April 2016), "Child labor in the mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo."
8. Vivian Hendriksz, Fashion United (6 February 2017), "Child Labour & Low Wages: The Real Cost of Producing Fashion in Myanmar."
9. UNICEF (9 June 2021), "Child labour."
10. Carla Denly, University of California, Los Angeles (23 August 2019), "Child labor protections are lacking in many countries, study finds." 11 Laura Counts, Berkeley Haas (11 March 2020), "Do multinational corporations exploit foreign workers? Q&A with David Levine."
11. The Lunt Group LLC, Employment Law Handbook (2023), "Apprenticeships and Student Learner Programs."
12. United Nations (20 May 2021), "Reducing poverty and inequality in rural areas: key to inclusive development."
13. Green America (2021), "US Companies Exploiting Workers."
14. International Labour Organization, "Eliminating and Preventing Child Labour."