Africa Knowledge Hub for Children

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex18 Oct 2025

The impact of unconditional cash transfers on child labour in Punjab: A fairlie decomposition approach

To address the pressing economic challenges faced by low-income households, cash transfer programmes have emerged as strategic policy interventions aimed at mitigating child labour. This paper has examined the impact of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) on the child labour in Punjab, Pakistan, by using the latest data set of Punjab’s Child Labour Survey (PCLS 2019–20). Multinomial logistic regression is employed to assess the impact of cash transfers on child labour (hours) and the Fairlie Decomposition method is used to assess the inequality. The regression findings indicate that cash transfer programmes are not effective in reducing child labour. We then decompose the inequality to identify key contributing factors of child labour hours. The Fairlie decomposition analysis shows that beneficiaries of BISP (BENs) are more likely to engage in child labour as compare to non-beneficiaries of BISP (Non-BENs). Household wealth status, mother & household head’s education, child schooling and child’s age are the significant contributors in explaining the gap of child labour between the two groups of our study. Household Wealth accounts for 46.14% of the working hours gap between BENs and Non-BENs, indicating it as a one of the major contributors of child captivating to work. The child age accounts up to 43.51% of the gap between the two groups. The gap can be reduced up to 12.61% if the distribution of mother’s education of the non-BENs is identical to the BENs. Addressing these issues among children including the policy debate of BISP will require a sustained effort by the government, institutions, with a particular focus on awareness, socioeconomic circumstances of working children, lower education backgrounds of parents, and belonging to poor households and underdeveloped segments.

Faizan Ali, Mumtaz Anwar, Atif Khan Jadoon

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex19 Feb 2021

Meta-Analysis of Studies on the Factors Affecting the Emergence of Child Labour and Street Children

The present meta-analysis seeks to re-analyze a series of studies on child labour and street children and enumerate their strengths and weaknesses. The present study, providing a statistical summary of the previous research in the field of child labour and street children, seeks an overall estimate of the factors affecting this variable. Accordingly, this study uses a documentary meta-analysis research method and the statistical population of the study includes all valid scientific studies that have been published during the years 1381 to 1398 on the subject of child labour and street children. Finally, 15 documents suitable for performing a meta-analysis were selected and analyzed using CMA2 software. The analysis of the severity of the combined effects showed that the variables of parental education level and drug addiction with the combined effects of 0.614 and 0.541, respectively, affected the average rates of child labour and street children

Ahdieh Asadpour, M Azam Azadeh

ProtectionIRRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex8 Jun 2024

Key Informant Views of the Determinants of Child Labour Maltreatment

(1) Background: The maltreatment of child labourers is a major public health concern. There is a dearth of research in Bangladesh on the intentional maltreatment of child labourers. This study explored the risk factors for the maltreatment of child labourers in rural Bangladesh based on the knowledge and understanding of experts; (2) Methods: Seventeen interviews were conducted with experts who were sampled using a purposeful approach. A thematic analysis was performed to analyse data using NVivo; (3) Results: Child labourers were exposed to maltreatment due to their demographic, their young age, dropping out of school, health complications, and excessive dependency on employers. Socio-cultural adversities such as corporal punishment practices, social stratification, and family disorganization pose risks of experiencing maltreatment. Economic poverty is also a factor. Child labourers were found to be victimized if they worked in violence prone sectors. Significantly, the unregulated market structure and the lack of monitoring has also led to the exploitation of children in the workplace. Gaps in public policies were also identified as risk factor for the maltreatment of child labourers; (4) Conclusion: There is a need for adequate evidence-based research on the determinants of the maltreatment of child labourers to formulate adequate policy.

Abdul Ahad, Yvonne Parry, Eileen Willis et al.

ProtectionBDRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex16 Dec 2025

Microcredit and Child Labour Following Natural Disasters: Evidence from Indonesia

This paper examines the impact of an earthquake in Indonesia on children’s school and work activities and how that relationship differs by access to credit. We find that the earthquake decreases educational attainment while increasing child labour and the effect is stronger for households with access to credit. Following the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake, years of schooling for earthquake-affected children aged 7–14 decreased by 0.5 years, but the effect was stronger for those living close to a microfinance institution. Heterogeneity in treatment effects suggests that the opportunity cost of schooling increases as households with micro-loans open up businesses. Our finding indicates the complementary effect between credit and child labour and suggests the need for policies to increase educational investment when providing micro-loans to help households affected by shocks.

Michell Yoonjei Dong, Hee-Seung Yang

DevelopmentProtectionIDRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex8 Dec 2025

From Paper to Practice: Why Child Labour Laws Fail in Bangladesh

Although the government has promised to follow international norms to fix the problem, child labor is still a challenge in Bangladesh. Millions of kids face dangerous and unfair occupations especially in the informal economy, e.g., farms, housework, and small companies. Bangladesh Labour Act of 2006 and the National Child Labour Elimination Policy of 2010 are both significant pieces of legislation but these are not enforced properly due to scarcity of resources, corruption, and entrenched social norms. Current study analyzes the prevalence of child labor despite presence of legal framework. Governance laws will never achieve their effect until they deal with the confluence of extreme poverty, poor governance, lack of education, and complex global supply chains. The study highlights the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach to address the root causes of child labor, enhance enforcement and develop viable alternatives to child labor.

Farija Akther

ProtectionBDRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex3 May 2024

Beyond the Walls: Patterns of Child Labour, Forced Labour, and Exploitation in a New Domestic Workers Dataset

The new Domestic Workers Dataset is the largest single set of surveys (n = 11,759) of domestic workers to date. Our analysis of this dataset reveals features about the lives and work of this “hard-to-find” population in India—a country estimated to have the largest number of people living in forms of contemporary slavery (11 million). The data allow us to identify child labour, indicators of forced labour, and patterns of exploitation—including labour paid below the minimum wage—using bivariate analysis, factor analysis, and spatial analysis. The dataset also helps to advance our understanding of how to measure labour exploitation and modern slavery by showing the value of “found data” and participatory and citizen science approaches.

Zoe Trodd, Catherine E. Waite, James Goulding et al.

ProtectionINRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex3 Dec 2025

Eliminating Child Labour in the Digital Era, Climate Change Situation, and Sustainable Business

Child labour is a stark manifestation of severe social and economic inequality, as well as a reflection of weak social protection systems, limited access to education, and inadequate labour regulations in many countries. Data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) indicate that over 160 million children worldwide are engaged in labour, nearly half of whom are involved in hazardous work that threatens their safety, health, and development. The digital era presents both opportunities and challenges regarding this issue. On the one hand, digital technology can be leveraged to improve access to education, skills training, and the monitoring of fair labour practices. On the other hand, digitalization also creates new forms of employment that are not yet fully regulated by law, opening opportunities for the exploitation of child labour—especially in the informal economy, e-commerce, and online-based domestic industries. Child labour remains a serious challenge amid global changes in the world of work. To respond to this issue effectively in the future, a multidisciplinary approach is needed—one that integrates education, occupational health and safety, social protection, and cross-sector partnerships. By upholding the principles of social justice and the fundamental rights of workers, the world can advance toward the total elimination of child labour in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Aye Sudarto, Hevi Oktiawati, Muhammad Bisri Mustofa

ProtectionDevelopmentIDRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex31 Mar 2026

The Growing Crisis of Child Labour in Bangladesh: A Focus on the Vehicle Sector and Legal Frameworks

The primary objective of this paper is to analyse the underlying reasons for the increase in child labour within the local vehicle sector, particularly in Leguna, and to identify potential strategies for its prevention. Child labour represents a critical issue that demands urgent attention and action. This study highlights the growth of child labour in a developing nation such as Bangladesh and examines its multifaceted impact on society, including both its advantageous and adverse effects. The rise in child labour can be attributed to factors such as poverty, the COVID-19 pandemic, and various other obstacles. This research reveals that the earnings of child workers in Bangladesh’s transportation industry are significantly lower than those of adult workers, and nearly all children are employed informally. Herein, a policy change that involves equal collaboration between the government and NGOs, providing alternative income opportunities and awareness programs, would be ideal. This gap has been left open regarding the practical enforcement aspects of child laws in Bangladesh. It is recommended that administrative systems be held accountable for protecting rights and aligning judicial interpretation with modern times.

Md. Ahsun Habib, Sumaiya Akter Sumi

ProtectionSurvivalBDRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex24 Apr 2026

Challenges and Perspective of Child Labour in Assam and its Impact on Health and Wellbeing of Children

Child labour in Assam is a continuous socioeconomic issue caused by poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and migration. Many children work on tea plantations, in agriculture, at home, or in small businesses. Weak enforcement of labour regulations, a lack of understanding among parents, and cultural acceptance exacerbate the issue. Natural disasters such as floods, which are prevalent in Assam, displace families and force children to work for survival. From a developmental standpoint, child labour deprives children of schooling, skill development, and possibilities for advancement. Although government programs and legislation, such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, exist, their execution is inconsistent. NGOs and community initiatives play an important role, but their reach is limited in rural and distant regions. The impact on children’s health and wellbeing is severe. Physically, child labour exposes children to hazardous conditions, leading to injuries, malnutrition, and chronic illnesses. Psychologically, long working hours and exploitation can cause stress, anxiety, and emotional trauma. Socially, it isolates children from peers and restricts their overall personality development.To address this issue, a multi-dimensional approach is essential, including poverty alleviation, access to quality education, strict law enforcement, and community awareness. Empowering families economically and ensuring child protection mechanisms can significantly reduce child labour in Assam.

Jyoti Prasad Bora, Nisha Sarma

SurvivalDevelopmentProtectionINRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex30 Dec 2018

Socio economic determinants of child labour in selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study examines the determinants of child labour in Mardan and Nowshera districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Primary data on socioeconomic characteristics of children engaged and did not engage in child labour were obtained from Labour Education Organization Mardan. Age of the children and family size are positively and education is negatively and significantly associated with the probability of children participation in labour market. The probability of child labour is more with the household income although with a very low coefficient value which is contrary to our expectations and may ne indicative that child labour could be a major source of household income. This study suggests that subsidies may be provided to families for their children education. Family size is also positively related to the child labour, therefore steps may be taken towards encouraging small family sizes and thereby reducing the child labour.

Nabeela Begum, Javed Iqbal, Hina

ProtectionPKRead at source

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