Major Factor of Child Labour

Raise in population is one of the major factors of child labor. When the total income of head of family is insufficient to meet the basic needs of living regarding daily life, people are forced to put up their children to work. To settle down this problem the government should take such initiatives to lower down the prices of daily households and motivate people to stop child labor.

Child protection from violence, exploitation and abuse

An estimated 158 million children aged 5-14 are engaged in child labor - one in six children in the world. Millions of children are engaged in hazardous situations or conditions, such as working in mines, working with chemicals and pesticides in agriculture or working with dangerous machinery. They are everywhere but invisible, toiling as domestic servants in homes, laboring behind the walls of workshops, hidden from view in plantations.

Children living in the poorest households and in rural areas are most likely to be engaged in child labour. Those burdened with household chores are overwhelmingly girls. Millions of girls who work as domestic servants are especially vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

Labour often interferes with children’s education. Ensuring that all children go to school and that their education is of good quality are keys to preventing child labour.

Targeting Child Labor in Pakistan

A coalition of labor unions is launching a campaign against the import of surgical instruments made by Pakistani children. The children make scissors, forceps, needle holders, scalpels, speculums, and clamps. The campaign estimates that between 45 and 60 percent of all surgical instruments are imported by the United States. Participants include the International Metalworkers Federation, the International Council of Nurses, and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions

Labour Rights

Labour rights is a very broad issue; however, it can be boiled down to the protection and respect of human life in the workplace and the right to work itself. Some components of labour rights are the rights to job safety, collective bargaining, and equal pay for equal work.

Labour rights vary by country, however the International Labour Organization (ILO) provides universal standards and guidelines. The ILO, a part of the UN, aims to provide guidance and standards for labour practices around the world.

Wal-Mart and Wages

A Substantial Number of Wal-Mart Associates earn below the federal poverty line

· In 2008, the average full time Associate (34 hours per week) earns $10.84 hourly for an annual income of $19,165. That’s $2,000 below the Federal Poverty Line for a family of four.

· Last year, Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott earned $29.7 million in total compensation, or 1,551 times the annual income of the average full time Wal-Mart Associate.

Wal-Mart Associates don’t earn enough to support a family

Wal-Mart wages are not “designed” to support a family

Wal-Mart can afford wage increases

Wal-Mart’s wages are lower than other retail wages

But no incentives to their employees...