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Labour and health in Colonial Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Vellore Arthi

    (University of Oxford)

  • James Fenske

    (University of Oxford)

Abstract

"We examine the determinants of time allocation and child labour in a year-long panel of time-use data from colonial Nigeria. Using both quantitative and ethnographic approaches, we show that health shocks imposed time costs on individuals. The ability of individuals to recruit substitutes while ill depended on their social standing, the urgency of their work, and the nature of their illness. Child labour did not systematically respond to temporary parental illness, but could replace a permanently disabled adult. Child labour was coordinated with parental work to exploit complementarities, aid child care, and allow children to build skills and resources."

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  • Vellore Arthi & James Fenske, 2013. "Labour and health in Colonial Nigeria," Working Papers 13032, Economic History Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehs:wpaper:13032
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