Is child labour a substitute for adult labour? A case study of brick kiln workers in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight that child labour is complementary to adult labour in the brick kiln industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case study of bonded labourers in the brick kiln industry of Southeast India.

Findings

The paper finds that child labour is used by parents in the moulding process in order to avoid falling into debt bondage. In this industry, brick making is organized as a home‐based enterprise. Thus, child labour increases the family productivity and consequently its income. In case of a ban on child labour bonded parents will be worse‐off. NGOs can play an essential role by preventing families from falling into bondage and by improving their living standards.

Originality/value

The results may help the NGOs address child labour issues in the developing world.

Citation

Bhukuth, A. and Ballet, J. (2006), "Is child labour a substitute for adult labour? A case study of brick kiln workers in Tamil Nadu, India", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 33 No. 8, pp. 594-600. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068290610678734