Journal Article

Child Labor and Multinational Conduct: A Comparison of International Business and Stakeholder Codes

van Tulder, Rob, Kolk, Ans

2002

Overview

Increasing attention to the issue of child labor has been reflected in codes of conduct that emerged in the past decade in particular. This paper examines the way in which multinationals, business associations, governmental and non-governmental organizations deal with child labor in their codes. With a standardized framework, it analyzes 55 codes drawn up by these different actors to influence firms' external, societal behavior. The exploratory study helps to identify the main issues related to child labor and the use of voluntary instruments such as codes of conduct. Apart from a specific indication of the topics covered by the code, especially minimum-age requirements, this also includes monitoring systems and monitoring parties. Most important to company codes are the sanctions imposed on business partners in case of non-compliance. Severe measures may be counterproductive as they do not change the underlying causes of child labor and can worsen the situation of the child workers by driving them to more hazardous work in the informal sector. This underlines the importance of a broad rather than a restrictive approach to child labor in codes of conduct. The paper discusses the implications of this study, offering suggestions for future research.

• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Age / Associations / Behavior / Business / Business associations / Business ethics / Business structures / Business studies / Child labor / Child labour / Children / Children & youth / Childrens rights / Codes / Codes of conduct / Compliance / Cooperation / Corporate responsibility / Cost control / Developing countries / Ethical codes / Ethics / Government / Informal economy / International business / International organizations / International standards / Labor standards / LDCs / Multinational corporations / Multinational enterprises / NGOs / Non-governmental organizations / Noncompliance / Nongovernmental organizations / Sanctions / Slavery / Society / Stakeholder / Trade associations / Treaties / Working conditions