"Why do we have to pay the price of poverty. We didn't create poverty, adults did."
Sultana, a twelve-year garment factory worker from Bangladesh in Thailand, 14 February,1998.
I've always heard about how small children work in congested areas making the fireworks we enjoy on New Year's Eve, Diwali and Christmas. I've heard its because of their sharp eyes and small, nimble fingers that they are exploited. I've heard that there are often accidents that leave these working children without limbs, eyes or fingers.
I've seen pictures of children from my country transported in cattle trucks to factories where they forced to expose themselves to hazardous materials. I've seen children hit for sitting under a tree rather than begging on a hot summer day in my city. I've seen children a decade younger than me abused by the owner of a road-side tea stall for spilling some tea while serving it.
Most of these children have belonged to homes that are economically insufficient. They have no freedom of choice and live on the verge of survival. While the severity of their conditions vary, most of their futures remain bleak. Their miserable lives are, more often than not, left 'unperturbed'.
Though there are Acts prohibiting the exploitation of children in India, most cases of child labor have be sensationalized before strict measures are taken. There are thousands of children who have no hope of a better lifestyle.
It is our responsibility as those who have been privileged to have escaped that life, to reach out to those who have been denied education. To do all that we can to provide hope for all those who have be forced to undergo abuse, forced to work in conditions unfit for any human let alone a child--to eradicate the lifestyles that these children are born into. To do our part in making sure we do not give fuel to those who are responsible for the plights of these laborious children.
What can we do? Well, as Indians we could report any activity that goes against the Child Labor Act to the officials. We could make sure the fireworks we buy are not made by children, that he companies that manufacture them have been approved by the government. By giving begging children food instead of money and by contributing in our own little ways to the eradication of poverty. If we manage to positively impact the eradication of poverty, we will be simultaneously impact the eradication of child labor. While these small acts may not seem gigantic, it will make a difference. Afterall, the first step is the most difficult.
The future of our country? Why not?
I never realized this earlier, but yes, you're right--action is not taken unless certain cases of child labor are sensationalized.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity but because we've become so accustomed to seeing child labor and poverty everyday, we often overlook its atrocities and fail to even recognize that it is a crime.
I agree with you--we need to take a more active stance in trying to eradicate child labor and I will try and implement your suggestions in my everyday behavior.
While I am strongly against any activity that mistreats workers like the stories you mentioned above, I also believe that sometimes these children need these jobs in order to support their family and themselves. There are many underprivileged families where the mothers would want their children to go to school, but cannot afford to do so because they can't support their family without the added income that their children would bring in. In cases like this, I believe that child labor is better than no labor.
Article 24 of the Indian constitution clearly states that "No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or employed in any hazardous employment" (Constitution of India cited in Jain 1985, 218)!!!
ReplyDeleteChild labour is still a significant problem in India and apparantly, the child work participation rates are higher in India than in other developing countries.
I totally agree with ananya, the major determinant of child labour is poverty. Even though children are paid less than adults, whatever income they earn is of benefit to poor families! And yes, we all need to be active and change this situation!
ps - i like your opening sentence,
ReplyDeletequite attention grabbing!!! x
I agree with what you have written.If we contribute in our own little way to decrease poverty and corruption then child labour will come down.
ReplyDeleteIt is an important and a persistent problem that we are facing in India. The solution as you say is for each one to stand up and report it as well as speak against it. Well done!
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