Child Labour Ruins the Life of the Children

"Child labor" is work for children that troubles them or exploits them physically, mentally and morally by depriving them the opportunity of getting educated. All work is not bad for a child; there are some kinds of work which proves beneficial for the children as long as it does not exploit them. For example, a child who does the job of delivering newspapers before school might benefit from learning how to work, learn to be responsible and earn a little bit of money. When such children cannot be paid, they are exploited. Children should not work to earn, but they should work to learn. It should not interfere their learning with their schooling, recreation and the rest of their activities.

There are many families who force their children to earn just to run their families. A child sacrifices its happiness in order to feed the family. There are a number of small menial jobs clubbed under child labor which ranges from taking care of the animals, planting and harvesting food, small kinds of manufacturing, auto repair and making of foot wear. Male kids work outside their homes and girls work as a domestic maids. Working as a maid at that young age can be harmful for the child because they can be physically or sexually abused by their employers. It should not be that the children are not given a chance to work; in fact they should be given the type of work from which they can learn. In this way they can become independent and work extra apart from their studies on their own.

Poverty is the main cause of the child labor but there are other reasons as well which make the children involved in these activities. These reasons can be due to:

1. Family expectations and traditions
2. Abuse of the child
3. Lack of good schools and day care
4. Lack of other services, such as health care
5. Public opinion that downplays the risk of early work for children
6. Uncaring attitudes of employers
7. Limited choices for women

No child is born to work when the rest of the children enjoy themselves at school or at play. Childhood is one of the most innocent phases in human life. It is that stage when they are prepared for a successful adult life. It is the phase when we are carefree, fun-loving, learning, playing. When we grow up into adults we can look back into our childhood and recall those beautiful memories. Child labor is considered illegal by law and custom. The stipulated age varies from country to country and from government to government. Child labor is a world phenomenon activity which is considered exploitative and inhuman by many international organizations. The problem of child labor that the nation faces is an age old one. Government is taking various measures to stop this problem. However, it is a socio-economic problem linked to poverty and illiteracy, so it requires strenuous efforts from all sections of the society to be uprooted.

Child Labour - Let's Stop This!

Can we eliminate child labour? Though it is a desirable goal the fact remains that in the given socio-economic scenario that is prevalent in our country, it is virtually impossible to do away with it. One cannot dispute the fact that employers exploit children by paying them much less than what they would pay in adult and the future of the working children is ruined as they will not be able to attend schools and get educated for a better future.
But when one considers the economic compulsions of the families which force the children to work, one will be compelled to admit that elimination of it will be a distant dream as long as the socio-economic status of these families is not improved.
Realizing the harm caused by it, the Indian Government made laws to protect children from exploitation at work and to improve their working condition. Besides, a comprehensive law called it (Prohibition and Regulation) Act. 1986, was promulgated to prohibit employment of children in certain hazardous occupations and processes.
In 1987, the Indian government formulated National Police on it to protect the interests of children and focus on general development programmes for the benefit of children. As a part of this policy National it Projects have been set up in different parts of the country to rehabilitate it. Under these projects, special schools are established to prove non-formal education, vocational training, supplementary nutrition etc. to children who are withdrawn from employment.
Though elimination of child labour is an impossible task in the current socio-economic scenario, the Indian government is committed to the task of ensuring that no child remains illiterate, hungry and without medical care. When this ideal will be achieved is a million dollar question.
The development countries are exerting pressure on developing countries like India to eliminate child labour. According to the current thinking the developed countries may stop imports of those goods that involve child labour in their production. In some of our cottage industries like making of carpets, children are employed in larger numbers. These carpets, which are being exported, may soon lose their market abroad if the producers of these carpets persist with child labour.
Child labour is, no doubt, an evil that should be done away with at the earliest. The prevalence of child labour reflects very badly on society that is not able to stop this evil. But in a society where many households may have to suffer the pangs of hunger if the children are withdrawn from work, beggars can't be choosers. These families have to send their children to work, even if the future of these innocents is ruined, as that is the only choice open for them to survive in this world. Therefore, unless the socio-economic status of the poor families is improved, India has to live with child labour.

Child labour

Helping Poor Children is Not Limited to Developing Countries

When we talk about poor children or children living in poverty, we tend to assume they live in remote parts of the world, in countries torn apart by civil war or hit by natural disasters such as famine. Maybe India, some parts of Asia or South Africa - that's where all the poor kids live, right?

Wrong.

Poverty does not respect international borders. It is not confined to distant lands, only seen on TV news reports. It's also right here, in our own backyard. The National Center for Children in Poverty estimates that nearly 15 million American children live below the poverty line, which means they don't have enough to eat, or decent health care or a good standard of education. For a country built on a foundation of equal opportunity for all, a lot of citizens aren't getting a fair deal.

Why are poor children suffering here?

So with health care programs, schools in every neighborhood, plenty of food available, and shops full of goods, how is it that 15 million American children live in poverty? What's gone so terribly wrong that we have poverty right here on our own doorstep? The reasons could be any one of a range of social problems that leave the door open for poverty to creep through, unannounced and unnoticed. A factory closing puts hundreds of people out of work; rising living costs mean those with little to start with are left struggling; gang culture and violent crime degenerates a neighborhood into a war zone. All of these situations give poverty a fertile breeding ground, and every time the children are the ones who suffer most.

What can I do to help?

We can all take action to help children in poverty right here at home. Sociological studies on both inner-city and rural poverty have shown that a loss of a focal point for a community is one of the biggest contributors to the breakdown of its structure. However, some organizations are attempting to rectify that situation by bringing a message of hope back into these disenfranchised communities. And they're always looking for volunteers to help.

Churches and Christian ministries know that their role is vital, bringing God's message of hope and love to neighborhoods that may have lost that hope and the will to change. They help with programs that encourage the less fortunate to put the teachings of Jesus Christ into practice - teachings that tell us of the importance of loving your neighbor and the value of care, compassion and support for those who are struggling. By getting involved with organizations, either by making a donation of money, time or perhaps both, you can play an active part in fighting poverty at home. By sharing your blessings with others, you can help ease the burden of poverty for those around you. Also remember them in your prayers every day - it can and does make a difference.

The author is a freelance journalist who writes regularly on issues surrounding poor children, child sponsorship and the work of Christian ministries both at home and abroad.

ChildLabour

Please tell me if it's good and what else should I do to improve it?

Child Labor laws have been referred to as “one of the most urgent challenges of

our time”. Child labor persists today because there remains a wall of silence about

it, apathy, and indifference. Children are the greatest gift to humanity. They need

to go to school, so they can get an education, not work. Child labor is a serious problem that is

happening in many countries. Many children are doing work that is damaging to their mental,

physical and emotional well-being. Most of the child laborers suffer miserable and difficult lives. They

do not go to school, instead they work jobs and make little money that they give to their poor

families. Nearly 75% of children who are involved in child labor are involved in the worst forms of it.

Some of the worst forms of child labor include, trafficking, armed conflict, slavery, sexual

exploitation, and hazardous work. Children, families, and the economy all suffer because of child

labor.

World Leaders should try to resolve this problem because this is very unethical, it is detrimental to

the children, and it is making countries poorer. The ILO has discovered that the elimination of child

labor would yield enormous benefits. According to the IPEC, the elimination of child labor would

yield an internal return rate of 44% and the benefits would be almost seven times the cost of

eliminating it. By eliminating child labor, reducing poverty, providing work for parents, and by

providing universal education for children, there will be a significant improvement in the social,

economic and health of a country and its people. We need to put an end to child labor right now.

It is estimated that in Africa and Asia account for 93% of child laborers aged 5-14

years old (facts on child labor). Sub Saharan Africa accounts for the largest

proportion of working children, of about 48 million (facts on child labor). Many

of these children die young from work-related deaths and still others have no

future or opportunity of education.

By eliminating child labor, reducing poverty, providing work for parents, and by providing universal

education for children, there will be a significant improvement in the social, economic and health of a

country and its people. We need to put an end to child labor right now.

Is it persuasive enough? Your thoughts?

India accounts for the second highest number where child labour in the world is concerned. Africa accounts for the highest number of children employed and exploited. The fact is that across the length and breadth of the nation, children are in a pathetic condition. While experts blame the system, poverty, illiteracy, adult unemployment; yet the fact is that the entire nation is responsible for every crime against a child. Instead of nipping the problem at the bud, child labour in India was allowed to increase with each passing year. And today, young ones below the age of 14 have become an important part of various industries; at the cost of their innocence, childhood, health and for that matter their lives. Bonded Child Labour : This is also known as slave labour and is one of the worst types of labour for children and adults, alike. In fact, in 1976 the Indian Parliament enacted the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act; herein declaring bonded illegal. However, the fact remains is that this system of working still continues. According to certain experts approximately 10 million bonded children labourers are working as domestic servants in India. Beyond this there are almost 55 million bonded child labourers hired across various other industries.  Child Labour in The Agricultural Sector : According to a recent ILO report about 80% child labourers in India are employed in the agriculture sector. The children are generally sold to the rich moneylenders to whom borrowed money cannot be returned.

Children Employed At  Factories:  According to recent estimates almost 60,000 children are employed in the glass and bangle industry and are made to work under extreme conditions of excessive heat.  Of the 2,00,000 labour force in the matchbox industry, experts claim that 35% are children below the age of 14. They are made to work over twelve hours a day, beginning work at around 4 am, everyday. According to a recent report by the ILO almost 4,20,000 children are employed in the carpet industry of India. According to researchers there are about 50,000 children employed in the brass industry of India and around the same amount in the lock industry.

Child Labour

Child labour is an act of injustice which must be eliminated. You may ask ‘What is child labour?’ Child labour is five year olds being tied to rug looms to keep them from running away, twelve year olds working on tobacco farms and innocent children being used as soldiers.

Each and everyday 218 million children, a number over ten times the population of Australia are forced to undertake intense labour. These children are merely five to seventeen years old. Day by day they are enchained to their duties and kept from an education, their human rights and often their loved ones. These children just like you or I are being abused and forced to work under unbearable conditions, in mines, with chemicals and dangerous machinery.

Around the world 18 percent of children between the ages of five and fourteen are working full-time and an additional 16.7 percent are working part-time. These children are no different from our brother and sisters. Why should they have to suffer this injustice? They do not deserve this treatment. Society has given these children an incredibly harsh sentence for a crime they did not commit.

Is this what we want for the future? To perpetuate the cycle of poverty within the life of millions of children. Together we as educated global citizens must take a stand against this. Children are being forced by poverty, political instability, discrimination and matters out of their own hand to work tirelessly to receive next to nothing.

While we are sitting in these warm classrooms, with privileges as far as the eye can see a child called Melse is working in a tiny room with 20 other children as weavers. He was trafficked from his hometown in Chencha, Ethiopia, three years ago. He does not receive wages for his hard labour but instead just enough food to keep him alive. His five siblings were also trafficked and he does not know their whereabouts. There are many other children like Melse, 218 million all over the world who are suffering as we speak.