itions of enslavement which cause people to react with horror and protectiveness. This was certainly the case in the United States and it continues to be the case in other countries. Writers and speakers present the case to the general public and laws are adopted, or more strictly enforced.
What is the intention of this, however? Is it simply to end the brutal practices? To end all child labor? Or, to improve the condition of the children and their families?
For the most part, the response seems to be an emotional one which just seeks to end child labor. There is not always deep thought given to how to improve the condition of the children engaged in child labor or the condition of their families. The drive to end child labor is not the same as an effort to eliminate poverty or change the conditions that make child labor necessary or possible.
Effectiveness of Current Agreements
The focus of many child labor laws is to prevent unsafe, exploitative, and abusive working conditions for children The ILO survey found that children were subject to incredibly bad conditions, and that those who were enslaved or involved in forced labor situations were in the worst shape. The ILO noted that children in various countries are still being sold to contractors for their labor, with girls being sold for prostitution and boys primarily sold as factory workers. This type of child slave labor is located primarily in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Africa (Child labor, 1996). Other types of labor that are common for young children are agriculture, mining, ceramics, glass factory work, matches and fireworks, deep sea fishing, domestic workers, carpet weaving, soccer ball sewing, toy production, and clothing production. The ILO indicated that there are at least five organized international networks trafficking in children for sexual purposes (Child labor, 1996).
In response to this, the ILO has called for adopting internatio...