Child Labour Laws and Their Enforcement in the Informal Sector: A Critical Analysis of Implementation Challenges and Policy Effectiveness

Abstract

This paper examines the enforcement challenges of child labour laws within the informal economic sector, analyzing the gap between legislative frameworks and practical implementation. Through a comprehensive review of international conventions, national legislation, and empirical evidence from developing economies, this study identifies systemic barriers that impede effective enforcement of child labour protections in informal markets. The analysis reveals that traditional regulatory approaches designed for formal employment structures prove inadequate when applied to the diverse, decentralized, and often invisible nature of informal sector work. Key findings indicate that enforcement mechanisms lack the institutional capacity, resources, and adaptive strategies necessary to address child labour in contexts characterized by economic informality, poverty, and weak governance structures. The paper argues for a multi-faceted approach that combines strengthened legal frameworks with targeted social protection programs, educational initiatives, and community-based interventions. The research contributes to policy discourse by highlighting the need for context-specific enforcement strategies that acknowledge the economic realities driving child labour while maintaining a commitment to children's rights and welfare.