Contrasto allo sfruttamento del lavoro minorile: una prospettiva internazionale e nazionale

This research dedicates special consideration to the international and national regulations that govern and protect the employment of minors, focusing on potential solutions to combat this widespread issue. What is emphasized is that the phenomenon of child exploitation, i.e., the activity carried out by individuals under the age of 15, can no longer be simply considered as a consequence of extreme poverty but must be recognized as a global issue stemming from multiple factors. The present paper is structured into three chapters, each dealing with different arguments. In the first chapter, the theme of child labor is presented through a broad historical framework tracing its origins and development, and the reasons leading to its proliferation are analyzed. It is highlighted that child employment has ancient roots dating back to the Middle Ages, a period characterized by high mortality rates that conferred added value to minors in the labor context to supplement the workforce in times of need. Additionally, various causes contributing to the expansion of child labor are examined, including situations of poverty, lack of education, armed conflicts, and the profit-maximizing logic prevalent even in industrialized countries. The second chapter outlines the current national and international regulations governing the employment relationship involving minors. Globally, the main provisions regulating this phenomenon are identified, including Convention No. 138 of 1973 concerning the minimum age for employment, and Convention No. 182 of 1999 on the worst forms of child labor. At the national level, Italian legislation is mainly represented by Law No. 345 of 1999, which stipulates that admission to work must occur after the completion of compulsory education, and, even earlier, by Article 37 of the Constitution, which prohibits minors from being employed in tasks that are dangerous, harmful, or compromise their education, and requires the law to establish specific protective measures for minor workers to ensure compliance with these principles. In the third and final chapter, the phenomenon of fast fashion is examined in detail, exploring both recognized and less evident aspects of this industry, which, while fascinating, is also rife with challenges and critical issues. In particular, a significant case study concerning the footwear company Timberland, accused of exploiting and abusing numerous minors, will be addressed, leaving them to work in inhumane conditions and disregarding their rights. Subsequently, the main actions and strategies undertaken by the ILO will be presented, examining current data from various international organizations' reports. The goal is to identify the challenges, future trends, and progress made by the international community in combating child labor.