TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Landmann, Andreas
AU  - Frölich, Markus
        TI  - Can Microinsurance Help Prevent Child Labor? An Impact Evaluation from Pakistan
        PY  - 2013/Apr/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 7337
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/index.php/publications/dp7337
        AB  - Child labor is a common consequence of economic shocks in developing countries. We show how reducing vulnerability can affect child labor and schooling. We exploit the extension of a health and accident insurance scheme by a Pakistani microfinance institution (MFI) that was set up as a randomized controlled trial and accompanied by household panel surveys. Together with increased coverage the MFI offered assistance with claim procedures in treatment branches. Using Difference-in-difference techniques we find lower incidence of child labor and lower child labor earnings caused by the innovation. Separating the two parts of the innovation package, the effects of claim assistance are mostly insignificant, while increased insurance coverage has large effects on child labor outcomes and days missed at school. Consistent with a theoretical model we develop in this paper, the effect is largely due to an ex-ante feeling of protection as opposed to a shock-mitigation effect.
        KW  - child labor
KW  - health insurance
KW  - Pakistan
        ER  -