Child labour

In many poorer countries, families rely on children working to survive and give them income. Banning child labour could cause many families poverty, therefore causing more harm. However, childhood should be a time for children to play and learn so child labour strips children of their basic rights and subjects them to harsh and dangerous conditions. Banning child labour is crucial to protect the health and well-being of children.

Why should child labour be banned?

Child labour is often linked to mistreatment and exploitation as children are forced to work long hours in dangerous environments with little to no pay and are often neglected or exposed to physical punishment. This eventually can lead to lifelong physical trauma and psychological damage. It prevents children from getting an education, which means they would likely be stuck in poverty for the rest of their life. Without an education, children grow up without the skills they need to secure employment. It cuts children off from schooling and health care, restricting their fundamental rights. In addition, many children work in mines, factories and agriculture, exposing them to health problems and injuries. This can result in extreme bodily harm and mental harm, and even death. Child labour can also harm a child's social and mental development, reducing their ability to enjoy childhood and limits their educational opportunities. It also has serious socio-economic implications- it spoils child education and leads to various kinds of child abuse and petty crimes.

Why should child labour not be banned in poorer countries?

In many poorer countries, families rely on the income produced by children working to get food and shelter. For these families, child labour is seen as a necessity for survival- without their children working, they would not have any source of income. By banning child labour, many families would not be able to survive (no money for food, medical care etc) and it would cause more harm than good.

Child labour is culturally accepted or seen as 'normal' in some societies. In Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, in rural areas where farming is common, children are expected to help with agricultural tasks. In India and Pakistan and in Southeast Asia, it is common for children to help in the family businesses, like crafts, retail, weaving and pottery

Historical issues of child labour in poorer countries:

Historically, children in many cultures have worked alongside their families particularly in agricultural and craft settings. However, with the rise of industrialisation in the 18th and 19th century, children started to work in factories and mines where they often were put to work in harsh and dangerous conditions.

During the industrial revolution, there was a growing of factories and mines and a demand for cheap labour. Children from poor families were employed because they were small, not expensive and controllable. Many factory owners and industrialists resisted the early attempts to stop child labour, as they feared it would harm their profits.

During the Colonial Era, European powers often relied on child labour in their colonies to sustain agricultural production. Many children were often forced to work in plantations or mines under brutal conditions. Countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America inherited weak labour laws and established societal norms which continued to justify child labour.

Current legal situation in poorer countries:

A total of 152 million children are estimated to be in child labour globally, accounting for almost one in ten of all children worldwide. Currently, around 80-90% of the world's countries have implemented laws that make child labour illegal, especially regarding hazardous work, minimum age requirements for employment or protecting children from exploitation. However, the effectiveness of the laws varies widely across the world, with some enforcements of laws being weak and ineffective, particularly in low-income countries. International organisations like the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation have established strong guidelines aimed at removing child labour and protecting children. The ILO established conventions like the Minimum Age Convention and Worst Forms of Child Labour. Some countries have strong laws against child labour, but poor enforcement of these laws means they are ineffective. Countries like India and Bangladesh have laws restricting child labour however millions of children still work in hazardous conditions in sectors like agriculture, textiles or mining. Many poorer countries have a lack of resources to provide children with educational opportunities, leading to many children still working in labour-intensive industries.

There is an increasing international pressure on countries to eliminate child labour like the Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 which aims to eradicate of child labour by 2025. Some governments have begun to invest more in education and social protection programs aimed at reducing the need for child labour.