Characteristics of Child Labour and Their Health Problems: Findings from Rural Community of India

Background: Child labour is a big problem. Studies have indicated several problems of child labour. However, few studies have indicated the characteristics of child labour rural India. Objectives: This study has explored characteristics of child labour and their families in the rural community of eastern India and also identified their health problems. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to explore their characteristics in purposively selected areas in rural Howrah, India. Frequency table and bar-diagrams were used. Results: The study identified 72% boys and 28% girls as child labour. Majority of the children (67.9%) were labour because they wanted to help their parents. In 8.9% cases, they were forced to work by their parents. In 5.4% cases, they were orphans. Majority of the children were not satisfied (78.6%) with their job place and job status. Conclusions: Child labourers are not satisfied with their job. Their money is used in family. Parents are illiterate. Lack of effective education system and availability of functional schools are both causes and consequences of child labour. Due to illiteracy, working conditions for these children get worse as they are not even aware of the occupational benefits.

Assessment of Child Labour Practices among Market Women and Food Sellers in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun State,Nigeria

The study examined the forms of child labour practices common among market women and food sellers in Ife Central local government area of Osun State.It also determined the awareness level of market women and food sellers on the existing child labour law in Nigeria and finally examined factors contributing to child labour practices among market women and food sellers.The study employed the descriptive research of the survey type.The study population consisted of market women and food sellers in Ife Central local government in Osun State.The sample consisted of 170 market women and 80 food sellers in conveniently selected five markets in the study area.The researchers developed three research instruments for this study,namely:Knowledge of Child Labour Questionnaire(KCLQ),Forms of Child Labour Practices Questionnaire(FCLPQ),and Factors Contributing to Child Labour Questionnaire(FCCLQ).The three instruments were validated by the investigators,using Cronbach alpha which yielded 0.79,0.77,and 0.78 values for KCLQ,FCLPQ,and FCCLQ respectively.Data collected were analyzed by using simple percentage and Relative Importance Index.The results among others showed that domesticlabour ranked the first significantly influential forms of child labour practiced among market women and food sellers in Ife Central local government,Osun State with RII analysis of 0.810 and 0.850 respectively.The study therefore concluded that majority of the respondents have low awareness level on the existing child labour law hence government should intensify the creation of awareness of the child labour law among market women and food sellers in Ife Central local government,Osun State.

The Dark Side of Samsung’s Value Chain: The Human Costs of Cobalt Mining “BLOOD, SWEAT AND COBALT”

Samsung has been implicitly linked to human rights abuses and wider social downgrading propagated within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Reports by different studies have shown artisanal cobalt mines (ASM) to exploit child labour and subject workers to perilous conditions. The IT multinational is dependent upon Congolese cobalt as a key element in lithiumion batteries used to produce their array of electronics. However, irresponsible cobalt sourcing practices undertaken by Tier 1 suppliers, Glencore and Huayou, have resulted in ASM operations being incorporated into Samsung’s global value chain, as Tier 2 suppliers. Analysis of the relationships underpinning Samsung’s cobalt value chain theoretical framework, highlights the presence of a relational governance structure, with captive elements among upstream Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. Samsung is thereby reliant upon both Glencore and Huayou to transmit and enforce private codes of conduct down the value chain to expel human rights abuses. In conjunction, the DRC’s weak and unstable institutional environment has facilitated corruption and the improper enforcement of laws across the ASM industry. It is thereby imperative that Samsung takes ownership of the issues present within its value chain, as both Tier 1 suppliers and the Congolese government have failed to ensure responsible cobalt sourcing practices to date. This report recommends that Samsung adopt a holistic action plan, not only utilising their own resources and capabilities, but also those of critical stakeholders including Tier 1 suppliers, NGOs and the DRC and South Korean governments. Most prominently, this report suggests that supply chain transparency can be improved using certificates of origin and blockchain technology. Furthermore, it is recommended that poverty alleviation is targeted as a key measure through “Cobalt for Development”, an action plan designed to instigate both social and economic upgrading within ASM operations and the wider community. By employing a multi-scalar approach and addressing the issues inherent across multiple governance levels, Samsung can ensure a responsible source of cobalt be sustained.