Lessons learned
In an ideal world, the prevention and elimination of child labour would be ensured by the existence of effective state labour inspection systems, and a culture of respect for labour rights would be instilled throughout supply chains. Those supply chains would comprise formally registered workplaces that could be readily inspected. However in many countries such as Pakistan this is far from reality. Labour inspection systems are often understaffed and poorly trained and funded, or even non-existent. Supply chains that operate in developing countries commonly are linked with the informal economy, where decent work deficits are widespread. And companies are increasingly held responsible for violations of labour rights that occur in global supply chains.
In these situations, private monitoring systems such as IMAC can play an important role, filling the breach while state systems and capacities are developed. However to be effective, the Sialkot programme needed more than monitoring; a fundamental restructuring of the production system was required to resolving the underlying factor feeding the child labour problem, that is, the extensive use of household-based production. The lesson for business is clear: monitoring and audits may help diagnose the problem, but achieving sustainable progress means understanding and addressing root causes.
Another root cause of child labour in the soccer ball industry was the lack of quality education and social protection. Of course, effecting change in these areas cannot be done by brands or their suppliers alone but require engagement with local stakeholders, particularly government. The Sialkot programme offered a platform for such collaboration, connecting business interests with national and community level social and economic development efforts. Nevertheless, social services remain insufficient, and more must be done to ensure that child labourers and at-risk children have viable alternatives to work.
Another emerging lesson from Sialkot is related to the interdependent, mutually supportive nature of fundamental rights at work—freedom of association and collective bargaining, the prohibition of forced labour and discrimination, as well as child labour. Success in tackling child labour is dependent on respect for all of these rights. For example, the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively can be considered an “enabling right” that can provide substantial protection against child labour.