Child labour refers to the full-time employment of children who are under a minimum legal age. One who is from 5 to 14 years of age, and is illegally employed, fits under the category of child labour. Today, over 246 million children across the globe, ages five to fourteen are working in both developed as well as developing countries. Out of these 246 million children, 120 million of them are working on a full time basis. Most child labour can be found in Asia, where 61% of child labour occurs, 32% in Africa and 7% in Latin America. Interestingly enough, more than 70% of child labourers work in agriculture. Most of child labour occurs in developing countries; however, this is mainly because of developed countries who "race to the bottom" in attempt to make profit for themselves. Multinational corporations knowingly set up factories for manufacturing the product they wish to sell in poor developing countries because these countries do not have strict environmental nor human rights laws and regulations.
Two girls protesting child labour (by calling it c...
Child Labor Pamphlet, 1913
Child Labor EmancipationThe conditions, under which these children work, are very harsh and dangerous and the cruelty does not stop here, they are also subjected to abuse and mass exploitation by their owners.
After hearing about all of this, why does society refuse to do nothing about it even though we know it exists? What can individuals do to better help this situation and conditions under which these children are forced to work? Human beings have the power to change anything they have control over; however, it is unfortunate that many people will continue to sit around and do nothing because they feel that they are not directly affected and therefore, this world-wide issue does not concern them. Individuals must have the will and endless determination to bring this crisis to an end.