Child Labor Issues and Directions for the World Bank / Peter Fallon and Zafiris Tzannatos.

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An estimated 250 million children are working worldwide, and child labor is one of the most devastating consequences of persistent poverty. This monograph proposes that the World Bank take stronger action, and outlines what to do and how, to help address the issue more pro-actively by partnering with other world organizations. The monograph first describes the basic facts and issues about child labor, such as its extent and nature, relevant laws, and the positions of the international organizations. This section is followed by a brief discussion of major approaches taken to reduce child labor, and a discussion of the Bank's position with reference to some initiatives now underway or planned. This section suggests that vital to achieving progress against harmful child labor are effective efforts to reduce poverty generally and the economic and social policies, programs, and results that are the underpinning for success in poverty reduction. The World Bank can partner with the ILO, UNICEF, NGOs, and some governments in the programs these organizations have already taken on child labor issues. The monograph recommends lending and non-lending activities that the Bank should undertake to alleviate this problem. An annex to the monograph presents data, by region, on the distribution and labor force participation rates of children 10-14 years old. (Contains 14 references.) (JPB)

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