Strategies and mechanisms to eradicate the worst forms of child labour in Nigeria

Children are the future of a nation and the hope for a better tomorrow. For a country to develop, the rights of a child should be of paramount concern to the government of the nation. These rights include, but are not limited to, the right to adequate standard of living, health care, education, play and recreation, protection from abuse, negligence and exploitation. Unfortunately, many children are denied these rights and the joy of childhood by being involved in child labour as a means to survive. In Nigeria, child labourers engage in all forms of labour and this is becoming widespread. The major causes of increasing incidence of child labour in Nigeria are the prevailing unemployment rate in the country, poverty, illiteracy, household size, culture and family structure. Several writers have written on the increasing incidence of child labour and the prohibition of child labour. Some writers have also written on the underlying major causes and health consequences of child labour in Nigeria. Although it may be impossible to totally eradicate child labour in Nigeria however, ultimate consideration to strategies and mechanisms on how to eradicate the worst forms ofchild labour in Nigeria is yet to be analysed. This is pertinent bearing in mind that Nigeria has ratified the ILO Convention on Worst Forms of Child Labour. This dissertation aims to address some of these issues by focusing on why children work as child labourers and the consequences and effects of child labour on the growth and development of the child. It will also analyse the efforts made by the International Labour Organisation and International Programs for the Elimination of Child Labour in eradicating the worst forms of child labour in Nigeria. Furthermore, this dissertation will attempt to determine what accounts for gaps in effective implementation of international laws on child labour ratified by Nigeria and national legislation enacted to prohibits the worst forms of child labour. Finally, it will suggest possible state and policy interventions, in the form of strategies and mechanisms, that could eradicate the worst forms of child labour in Nigeria.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Institute of Development and Labour Law

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Adeleye, Adekunbi

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Collier, Debbie

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9152

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9152