TITLE:
Child Labor in Sierra Leone: The Intersection between International Law and Local Regulations
AUTHORS:
Emmanuel Allicious Macpherson Sam
KEYWORDS:
Law, Human Rights, Child Labor, International Law, Diamond, Mines, Child Soldiers, War, Slums
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.2,
February
27,
2024
ABSTRACT: Child
labor represents a significant challenge for many developing countries
worldwide. Local and international laws and regulations establish standards
that governments must comply with. However, due to a lack of proper monitoring
systems, many countries permit children to engage in the most egregious forms
of labor without restraint. The absence of proper control mechanisms leaves
children vulnerable to exploitation and other forms of mistreatment. This study
aims to investigate the level of compliance with human rights and child labor
laws in diamond mines located in Sierra Leone. The mining industry has been
plagued with reports of human rights violations, particularly those related to
child labor. The objective of this case study is to provide a comprehensive
analysis of the extent of compliance with relevant laws and regulations in the
diamond mining sector in Sierra Leone. Through a combination of desk research
and fieldwork, this study examines the current state of compliance with diamond
mines’ human rights and child labor laws. The research methodology included an
extensive literature review of relevant laws and regulations and interviews
with key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society
organizations, and industry representatives. The findings reveal that despite
the existence of laws and regulations prohibiting child labor, the practice
persists in some diamond mines in Sierra Leone. Moreover, there are concerns
about miners’ working conditions, including health and safety issues and the
lack of adequate compensation for their work. Despite the introduction of child
rights laws, the issue of child labor in Sierra Leone remains a significant
challenge. While the country has implemented several anti-child labor laws, it
continues to have one of the highest rates of child labor in diamond mines. The
persistence of this problem is a cause for concern as it undermines the
country’s efforts to promote sustainable development and achieve its economic
goals. The study indicates that while child labor laws are in place in various
countries, there are discrepancies between domestic laws and international laws
and standards. In instances where international laws are at odds with local
laws, child labor may go unmonitored. It is crucial to bridge the gap between
domestic and international laws and adhere to international standards to ensure
the protection of children’s rights in the workforce.