have you ever seen child labour?

it is abundant in my country. recently laws are passed. still it seems nothing will help in evading this problem. the root is long. actually the families can't afford food for those children . they are forced to earn like this.

There is a law against child labor in this country, with the possible exception of farm labor. I was brought up on a farm. We started working in the fields early, but we also went to school. Our mother saw to that. Had our father tried to keep any of us home from school to work, I think she would have reported him to the school's truant officer. You see, we also have compulsory school attendance until age 18 or high school graduation, which ever comes first. I graduation at age 17 but still had to get a work permit before I could get a job. Regarding child labor in less developed countries, I agree that it has to stop, especially dangerous jobs. I believe in apprenticeships at a reasonable age, like 14 or 15, but there should be a half day of book learning, too.

This is deplorable! It should not be happening and the chldren need to be protected. If a child needs to work some to help the family, this happens in 3rd world countries and I hate to say even here. But to force them into hazardous situations and force them to work is unconscientable. I personally believe children grow up too quickly. They learn about the harness of life too soon as it is. They need to be children a much as possible and have a childs life. If they work to earn their money this is a good thigns. It teaches them all things don't just come to them and it also teaches them to manage their money with the help of parents if needed and it is. But to force them to work and treat them badly is outrageous. It needs to be stopped and I don't care where it is. If I saw this even in another country I would try to get our country involved. I'd do all I could to put a stop to it. As many letters as it takes or phone calls. I'd do it. I belive if a child wants to work they should be allowed to but the money earned is theirs to keep. My grandchildren to the yard and other things to earn money, feeding a neighbors dog when they go on vacation or gone for the weekend or longer. And taking them out for walks and the like. Helping out the neighbors cleaning a garage or the yard. But the money they earn is theirs and they are not being forced to work or being mistreated.

Hi there.. Hmm.. Is begging on the streets considered child labor? I went to China a few months ago. On the streets and outside the hotel, I saw many beggars. Most of them are very old people or young kids. Some of these young kids have their parents with them. I was told by the hotel lobby staff not to offer any money. Once you start giving one, you will see many other beggars swarming to you for money. It's bad enough to beg. What I do not understand is why do some parents force their children to go begging with them? I think it's very bad for the parents to use their children to gain sympathy.

I have only ever heard of child labor, but I have heard of it from others, like you, who have seen it. I know there are groups out there who help to liminate child labor, even here in the US, by paying the parents of these children money if the children are in school. I can't remember the names of these programs. They don't get enough press.

Yes, I have and it is sad. Most of your foods come from children picking them. This includes pickles, but they are usually from Mexico and they usually work together as a family. This takes place in the USA.

I've mostly seen it in restaurants. Most of the construction workers I know send their kids to school (the government school). So, there's no problem there. And I refuse to keep anyone who is less than 18 years as domestic help. I once had someone who got me a young girl and requested I keep her so that she could earn money to learn. I didn't know what to do. I kept her home for a week...but I didn't have the mind to get her to work...so she was here along with my sons and I gave her some money when she left after a week. But I've read about cases like you've mentioned in the papers ...haven't come across any personally.

Well, I live in India. Child labour is a major problem in India. I have seen so many kids to cut stones at road side, in road side tea shop, to mop the table, and wash the tea cups & glasses.The shop owner beaten them. Even the child labour is illegal in our country. The main cause of child labour is poverty,lack of literacy and population. And India is also suffering from these problem. Because of poverty, parents force them to get money. Our government take steps to stop it, but they are not sufficient. until all people of India not want to stop it. India has law to stop child labour, but it not be implemented. So Government has to take some hard decisions, and make laws, and give punishment them who break the law.

Hi jijomathew, I have never witnessed child labour as you speak off, and think it is terrible. I realize that it does happen in some countries and I may buy some products that are made by companies using child labour. I hope the day in near when all children can go to school and not have to work in such places. Blessings.

Now I feel like crying! I am aware that this happens. here in the United States it is common for children age sixteen and older to start working after obtaining a permit or permission from parents. Before that, it is mostly chores around the house and sometimes babysitting. What is even more of a shame is how little it takes to care for a child in India, and certain other countries, yet many people will not donate money or time to help! My child saw a picture of two women and a child in India, from a donation request today! I could see the look in her eyes! She wanted to know why the woman was crying.

Child labours hould be stoped at any rate. For it is inhuman and spoiling our own life. The young human beings are those who bring about colourin ourlives. They are our hope and our dream. If we continue to tame them and curtail their freedom then how can we expect something great from them?

where i am from there are so many homeless children between the ages 7-14 mostly so they are forced to work to feed themselves and others and it hurts but only if i could help. ITS BECAUSE OF POVERTY and that seems will never be over. cheers

Hiee !!! I have seen it ....... its spreaded vastly in my country ....... i feel very bad about it ....... as well as helpless to stop it ...... every child have full rights to play and enjoy his childhood dayz , which will never come bach and which se or she can cheer for in his future dayz ....... you are correct indeed , there should be age limit like 18 yrs for employment ........ its a very sad issue in the history of mankind ........ [:(]

Try to imagine if you are a father, who do not earn enough for the family, but having a child of 7yo can earn half of what you earn, what do you do? Child labour is definitely a no, but in some contexts this happens not due to individual issue, but a national or global issue where financial condition makes it to happen. I think to get rid of child labour issue, poverty and starving is the most pressing problems to be solved first.

Anti child labour day was observed on june 12th.it is indeed a very apt topic for discussion.I have seen many children below the age of 10 years working.We see them all over in factories,petrol pumps,bakery's,hotels,some homes too employ them.They are there all around us.We simply cant stop them because they may be the bread winners for their families.The government must do something for them there is no use just asking people to take an oath against child labour.Something concrete has to be done to abolish their poverty,to take care of their education etc.

yes i have seen them, in the streets their parents asking them to sell flowers, asking them to sell newspapers... and even on extreme and dangerous conditions like them having to go through gold mines, and cutting grasses, i even saw some kids carrying sacks of sands etc on ports. and they are only paid a couple of bucks, sometimes not even 20PHP or half a dollar.

Yes I've seen it helplessly. In over country although there is a strict rule for not entataining child laboring, the parents themself employ their children to garage/hotel/some other places for their living. Atlast the poverty wins over strict rules. Untill unless there is a some remedy for poverty, there is not point in banning or avoiding child labor. Hunger of life is worst thing which can pull to any state of downline no matter who you are.

Donno about the other countries, but in India, u can see it every nook and corner, they either do it willingly or unwillingly inspite of many different laws laid by the government to protect them...when the children's own parents are not bothered about their children, wat role could a govt play in it...they mainly send their children to work because of poverty

thanks for such a nice discussion.yaa friend ! i came across through this child labour daily . today child labour is very common in our country India. India is going with a major problem of increase in population. as population increases we are facing othe problems of "unemployment , food crisis,land prroblem as well as illiterate people". child labour is the causes of all this . i find everyday from morning till evening children below 14 years working they are working hard to make their livelihood . but i m not prosperous enough to give them relief from this . when i go for the tea at the shop or take my lunch over there i find the child labour . the employers shall take steps in order to avoid the child being giving the employment if he or she is below age

I don't about other countries but in India child labour is a very big problem.Government is trying hard but cannot eradicate it from the root.Children are innocent, they should not be sent to work.I see normally that in shops,hotels children are beaten severely even if they commit a small mistake.I think the child employer should be jailed for 3 years atleast to ensure a child labour free world.