Is child labour a substitute for adult labour?

Augendra Bhukuth and Jerome Ballet

International Journal of Social Economics, 2006, vol. 33, issue 8, 594-600

Abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to highlight that child labour is complementary to adult labour in the brick kiln industry. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents a case study of bonded labourers in the brick kiln industry of Southeast India. Findings - The paper finds that child labour is used by parents in the moulding process in order to avoid falling into debt bondage. In this industry, brick making is organized as a home‐based enterprise. Thus, child labour increases the family productivity and consequently its income. In case of a ban on child labour bonded parents will be worse‐off. NGOs can play an essential role by preventing families from falling into bondage and by improving their living standards. Originality/value - The results may help the NGOs address child labour issues in the developing world.

Keywords: Labour; Children (age groups); Poverty; India (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ijsepp:03068290610678734

DOI: 10.1108/03068290610678734

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