CHILD LABOR
Article written by Navya Nandwani
PROBLEM
Child work is work that does not interfere in any way with the development of children or their education. On the other hand, child labor is work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful to children or interferes with their education. It is work, therefore, that deprives children of their childhood, their potential, and their dignity. See the difference?
On the floors of fast fashion factories, workers are constantly exposed to these toxic chemicals and are breathing in their fumes. They are at risk for all kinds of disease, whether it be physical or mental. These children are put to work in all types of dangerous situations, with harsh treatment and low pay. Nobody should be going through that in this day and age, let alone children!
CURRENTLY
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Due to COVID-19, these children are put under even more dangerous circumstances and forced to work. They are at extremely high risk of getting ill.
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It is estimated that 200 million children around the world are engaged in child labor. 73 million of those children in child labor today are below 10 years old.
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Current global estimates based on data of UNICEF, the International Labour Organization, and the World Bank indicate that 168 million children aged 5 to 17 are engaged in child labor.
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Despite a steady decline in child labor of about 30% since 2000, progress is far too slow and there is no clear end in sight.
TAKE ACTION
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Buy fair trade and sweatshop-free products whenever possible. Read the descriptions of the items before you purchase them!
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Contact government leaders. You can write letters to the head of countries that promote any sort of child slavery/forced labor and encourage them to adopt codes of conduct.
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Contact retail stores, manufacturers, and importers. Ask questions about the origins of their products. Let them know that you want to buy products that don’t utilize child labor.
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Sign petitions! Here are a few:
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https://www.change.org/p/tell-forever-21-to-stop-forced-child-labor-in-cotton
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https://thehungersite.greatergood.com/clicktogive/ths/petition/AppleChildLabor
MISCONCEPTIONS
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Myth: Poor families need the financial contributions of children to compensate for their low income.
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Reality: The income of a child is 20% of that of an adult. If this income improves the everyday life of a family in the short term, this contribution to the opposite effect in the long term as this creates a vicious cycle.
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Myth: Children have special skills that are irreplaceable (slender fingers and nimble).
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Adults actually have more well-developed hands that are way less sensitive than those of children.
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Myth: Child labor is an important component of their education.
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Studies show that low-educated adults who worked from a young age are less healthy and are less productive than those who started work in adulthood. Working too early leads to more psychological problems later on.
Referenced sources:
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https://humaneeducation.org/10-tips-for-helping-end-child-labor/
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http://www.rhsansfrontieres.org/en/understand/child-labor/781-myths-about-child-labor
For more information:
