Child labour is a blight on our society and is something that should be eradicated as soon as possible. It deprives vulnerable young children of their innocence, their childhood and their right to an education. Child labour exploits the naivety of young children and physical ability for their own benefit, and its long-term effects are damaging and far-reaching.
In developing countries, the various forms of child labour are often the result of a combination of poverty, parents’ lack of education, and lack of access to adequate resources. It often involves children working in hazardous and unhealthy environments far beyond their physical and mental capability to cope with, and long term consequences can include health problems such as pneumonia, anemia, and in some cases, death. Furthermore, economic deprivation and cultural devaluation of a girl-child due to gender discrimination are considered to be a driving force of this practice.
It is also often the case that child labourers are not paid a fair wage, receive no health benefits, no insurance, and no holidays. This means that their families remain in a state of poverty, and that child labour, rather than being a temporary solution, becomes a way of life for a whole family. It also reinforces an inter-generational cycle of exploitation in which the next generation of children are pressured into working.
Therefore, it is essential to ensure that adequate laws are in place to combat child labour. We must also provide educational and economic support to those families who are lured into accepting these conditions. We must ensure that governments are held accountable for their actions, and that public awareness is raised so that international media and pressure groups can help in achieving the goal of eliminating child labour. Only then can we ensure that no child should ever have to work in a place that should belong to childhood and happiness.
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