Child Labor In India, A Consumer’s Perspective: Identifying Causes, Acknowledging Realities, and Proposing Incentives for Improvement

Vanessa L. De Niro Esq., California Western School of Law

Abstract

The exploitation of modern child labor in developing countries persists in part because of consumers like us. However, in light of increased global trade liberalization in Developing1 countries, and in considering ―free market‖ principles, cheap labor is what allows these nations to have a competitive edge in the global economy. With that said, a category of people that work longer hours for smaller wages, without unionization or labor protections, is an efficient means of production and justified by the economy of scales. Child laborers, exploited by employers competing in the global economy, are simply the product of laissez-fair economics in effect, participating in the economic development of the world‘s poor.