Why is child labour getting worse in some countries?
Poverty, the race to the bottom, structural adjustment programs, contracting out, technology, free trade zones and a growing informal economy – all these fundamentals of the new “global economy” have caused the increase in child labour. Anything that causes or sustains poverty encourages child labour. When a country has financial problems, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) moves in and usually demands the economy becomes “export oriented”. This means enticing foreign investment through cheap labour, no unions and weak labour laws. It also requires cuts to government social spending such as health and education. But adequately resourced primary education is one of the most effective solutions to the problem of child labour The poorest and most vulnerable children have paid the debt of the Third World at the expense of their normal development, their health and their opportunity for education. Contracting out is also increasing child labour as local firms compete fiercely for contrac
