A Marxist Study of an Unsung Hero, Iqbal Masih by Susan Kuklin

Abstract

The focus of this study adopts a Marxist perspective to examine the phenomenon of child labour through the life and struggle of Iqbal Masih in Susan Kuklin’s Iqbal Masih and the Crusaders Against Child Slavery. This research draws upon the economic theories of the Luxury Axiom and the Basu-Van model to contextualize its arguments. It investigates the origins of child labour and examines how economic structures sustain the class system and prolong exploitation. A qualitative, exploratory approach is used to identify the causes of child labour, its persistence, and the ways it reinforces class divisions. The outcomes of this research present Iqbal Masih as a symbolic figure for marginalized labourers, framing him as an unsung national hero. The study concludes by urging readers to reflect on their role in eradicating child labour.