International labor law and child's rightb

Question 2

What is the definition of a child according to the UNCRC?

Answer 2

Anyone under 18 years old.

UNCRC stands for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Question 3

What does Article 32 of the UNCRC state regarding child labour?

Answer 3

Prohibits economic exploitation and work that hinders education or harms health.

Article 32 outlines the rights of children to be protected from harmful work.

Question 4

What is the UK minimum age for children to work part-time?

Answer 4

13 years old (unless with a performance license).

The minimum age for full-time work is 16, but must remain in part-time education until 18.

Question 5

What is the estimated number of children working globally according to the ILO?

Answer 5

168 million children.

This accounts for almost 11% of the child population.

Question 6

List three examples of hazardous work for children according to ILO Convention No. 182.

Answer 6

• Working underground
• Working with dangerous equipment
• Working long hours in unhealthy environments

These types of work can harm children’s health and safety.

Question 7

What is the minimum age for employment set by ILO Convention No. 138?

Answer 7

15 years old, with exceptions for developing countries allowing a minimum age of 14.

Light work can be done from ages 12 or 13 under certain conditions.

Question 8

True or False: Child labour is synonymous with youth employment.

Answer 8

False.

Child labour is a human rights violation, while youth employment can be legal and beneficial.

Question 9

What are the main human rights impacts associated with child labour?

Answer 9

• Right to education
• Right to a safe work environment
• Long-term psychological harm due to unsafe conditions

These impacts can hinder children’s development and well-being.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The ILO defines child labour as _______.

Answer 10

exploitative work that harms a child’s well-being.

This definition emphasizes the negative consequences of child labour on education and future livelihoods.

Question 11

What dilemma do companies face regarding child labour in their supply chains?

Answer 11

How to address child labour without worsening children’s situations by removing income opportunities.

This dilemma is complicated by socio-economic factors.

Question 12

What percentage of child labourers work in agriculture according to the ILO?

Answer 12

59% or over 98 million child labourers.

This highlights the prevalence of child labour in the agricultural sector.

Question 13

What are common reasons for the prevalence of child labour?

Answer 13

• High poverty rates
• Lack of educational opportunities
• Cultural norms regarding work

These factors contribute to children working in various sectors.

Question 14

List the sectors where child labour is most prevalent.

Answer 14

• Agriculture
• Manufacturing
• Mines/Quarries

These sectors account for the majority of child labour occurrences.

Question 15

What is the role of companies in addressing child labour according to the text?

Answer 15

Companies should manage and mitigate risks associated with child labour in their supply chains.

This includes considering socio-economic contexts and potential impacts on children.

Question 16

True or False: All forms of child work are considered harmful.

Answer 16

False.

Light work that does not interfere with education or rights can be acceptable.

Question 17

What is one possible solution for companies facing child labour issues?

Answer 17

Providing education within the workplace.

This can help mitigate the risks of child labour but must be carefully implemented to avoid negative consequences.

Question 18

What is the significance of the Verisk Maplecroft Child Labour Index 2015?

Answer 18

It identifies the 10 highest risk countries for child labour.

The index is a tool for understanding child labour risks globally.

Question 19

List the 10 highest risk countries for child labour according to the Verisk Maplecroft Child Labour Index 2015.

Answer 19

• Eritrea
• DR Congo
• Somalia
• Pakistan
• Central African Republic
• Zimbabwe
• Sudan
• Burundi
• Afghanistan
• Chad

These countries face significant challenges related to child labour.

Question 20

What sectors have the highest levels of child and forced labour?

Answer 20

Agriculture, Manufacturing, Mines/Quarries

Specific examples include cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, coffee, cattle, fish, rice, cocoa in agriculture; bricks, garments, carpets, fireworks in manufacturing; and gold, coal, diamonds in mines/quarries.

Question 21

What was the estimated number of children working full-time stitching footballs in Sialkot, Pakistan in the 1980s?

Answer 21

More than 7,000 children aged 7 to 14

These children provided vital supplementary income to their families.

Question 22

What was the outcome of the media attention regarding child labour in football production?

Answer 22

Negative publicity for FIFA and major brands around the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1996 European Football Championships

LIFE magazine featured a story on a 12-year-old boy making footballs, garnering substantial attention.

Question 23

What initiative was created in response to child labour in football production?

Answer 23

The Atlanta Partnership

Involved sporting goods brands, suppliers, ILO, and UNICEF to provide children the opportunity to attend school.

Question 24

How many children were estimated to be employed in the surgical instruments manufacturing industry in Sialkot?

Answer 24

Approximately 5,800 children

They worked an average of nine hours a day earning between US$17.00 and US$38.00 per month.

Question 25

In what year did Nestle's report reveal child labour in its cocoa supply chain?

Answer 25

2015 ## Footnote The Fair Labor Association's report found 25 workers under the age of 15 on farms visited.

Question 26

What is one consequence of prohibiting children from working on family farms?

Answer 26

It may exacerbate levels of destitution ## Footnote This could increase vulnerability to trafficking in children.

Question 27

What is the purpose of Nestle's Child Labour, Monitoring and Remediation System (CLMRS)?

Answer 27

To provide training on identification, prevention, and remediation of child labour ## Footnote By mid-2015, it covered 33 cooperatives and over 31,807 children.

Question 28

How many cases of underage labour did Apple discover in its supply chain during a 2013 audit?

Answer 28

106 cases ## Footnote This included issues like bonded workers and forced overtime.

Question 29

What are the three international instruments guiding national labour legislation prohibiting child labour?

Answer 29

* UN Convention on the Rights of the Child * ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour * ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age of Admission to Employment ## Footnote These instruments set standards for child labour laws worldwide.

Question 30

What legal risks do companies face for failing to comply with national laws on child labour?

Answer 30

Civil and/or criminal sanctions, financial penalties, reputational damage ## Footnote Companies may be sued by former child workers for exploitative practices.

Question 31

What does 'complicity' mean in the context of business and human rights?

Answer 31

Indirect involvement of companies in human rights abuses ## Footnote Companies knowingly contributing to another's abuse of human rights can face legal action.

Question 32

What happened to Agriprocessors after a 2008 raid by US federal authorities?

Answer 32

Charged with over 9,311 child labour violations and filed for bankruptcy ## Footnote The case revealed illegal hiring of minors and hazardous work conditions.

Question 33

What are some non-legal risks companies face related to child labour allegations?

Answer 33

* Reputational risk * Financial risk * Operational risk ## Footnote These can lead to reduced sales, loss of market share, or operational disruptions.

Question 34

What framework provides guidance on protecting human rights in business?

Answer 34

UN ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy' Framework ## Footnote It includes three principles: Protect, Respect, and Remedy.

Question 35

What are the main components of human rights due diligence according to the UN Guiding Principles?

Answer 35

* Policies * Impact assessment * Integration * Tracking performance ## Footnote These components help businesses respect human rights in their operations.

Question 36

What should a company do if national laws on child labour are lower than international standards?

Answer 36

Strive to meet the higher international standards ## Footnote This includes compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ILO conventions.

Question 37

What is a key requirement for companies operating in emerging economies regarding child labour?

Answer 37

Develop and implement human rights policies and procedures ## Footnote This ensures a socially responsible approach to eliminating child labour.

Question 38

What is the purpose of a human rights impact assessment?

Answer 38

To gauge the likelihood and nature of child labour within the supply chain ## Footnote It should ideally be conducted before operations commence.

Question 39

What action can companies take to ensure ongoing monitoring of child labour prevalence?

Answer 39

Develop a complaints mechanism ## Footnote This encourages the detection of child labour within the supply chain.

Question 40

What training should company managers and suppliers receive to prevent child labour?

Answer 40

* Understanding relevant child labour laws * Implementing company policy * Detecting falsified documentation * Health and safety procedures for young workers ## Footnote Ongoing training is essential for awareness and compliance.

Question 41

What is a key component of responsible approaches to preventing child labour in the workplace?

Answer 41

Training suppliers and company personnel on child rights ## Footnote Training is essential for understanding laws, policies, and health procedures related to child labour.

Question 42

What areas should company managers and suppliers receive training in regarding child labour?

Answer 42

* Understanding relevant child labour laws * Implementing company policy * Ascertaining the age of workers * Health and safety procedures for young workers

Question 43

What is the Business for Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)?

Answer 43

A non-profit organisation dedicated to improving working conditions and eliminating child labour in the global supply chain ## Footnote BSCI provides training to its members, including retailers and brand names.

Question 44

What initiative has IKEA undertaken to address child labour?

Answer 44

IKEA holds workshops for suppliers and partners with UNICEF to establish self-help groups for women ## Footnote These groups focus on child rights, health, nutrition, and economic empowerment.

Question 45

What should a company consider when monitoring suppliers' factories in high child labour areas?

Answer 45

Identifying and responsibly preventing child labour practices ## Footnote Monitoring can be done by the company or third-party auditors.

Question 46

What are some methods used during audits to prevent child labour?

Answer 46

* Interviewing management about policies * Interviewing employees about child labour use * Inspecting the workplace for child labour signs * Checking contracts and identity documents

Question 47

Why is regular monitoring important in the supply chain?

Answer 47

To ensure continuous improvement and immediate corrective action if children are found in the workplace

Question 48

What was the purpose of the independent monitoring facility launched in Sialkot?

Answer 48

To verify that children were not present in factories and to assist children in returning to school ## Footnote The facility also helped women move into dedicated work centres.

Question 49

What is a human rights impact assessment?

Answer 49

An assessment that predicts possible human rights impacts from an investment or business activity ## Footnote It helps identify risk factors for future monitoring.

Question 50

What topics might be covered when interviewing former child labourers?

Answer 50

* Employment status of parents * Child's educational opportunities * Household environment * Child's future concerns

Question 51

What support might be provided to children removed from the workplace?

Answer 51

* Access to schooling * Health assessment and treatment * Training for future job opportunities

Question 52

What initiative has helped thousands of children gain access to education in Sialkot?

Answer 52

The RugMark initiative, which has provided literacy programmes and vocational training ## Footnote Over 3,000 children have benefited from this initiative.

Question 53

What is the benefit of sector-wide, multi-stakeholder partnerships in addressing child labour?

Answer 53

They provide expertise, save money, and share best practices ## Footnote Partnerships allow for a holistic approach to tackling child labour issues.

Question 54

What does the Elimination of Child Labour in Tobacco Foundation do?

Answer 54

* Conducts research on child labour prevalence * Runs projects to reduce child labour * Shares good practices with stakeholders