Reality Check
The government has banned child labour. Bravo. Problem solved. Now the lives of underaged exploited kids will miraculously improve and they’ll all hold hands and merrily skip together over a rainbow, right? Well, our government seems to think so.
I’m not condoning child labour. But I am condemning the way we chose to eradicate it. Now, forcing an innocent small child to slave in a bottle factory or zari workshop is deplorable. And those children need to be rescued. But what about the helpless tea boy whose family of nine back home in Bihar desperately depend on his pitiful income for survival? And who cares about those shy, well mannered little boys on Worli sea face who sell packaged water and biscuits to pay for their school fees?
Quite a few households keep young children off the street by employing them to run errands. And educate them too. I take it this is wrong?
So what is to become of all these child laborers now that they’re free from the shackles of employment? I suppose the government thinks they can kiss away their boo-boos?
By stopping them from working, their problems only increase further. The tea boy and the domestic workers are now homeless. And penniless too. Good job, politicians. You’ve definitely got my vote now.
If a child is beaten, abused, overworked, underpaid, stopped from going to school, take action immediately. But if a healthy teenager wants to pay his school fees by earning a little extra income doing odd jobs, let him.
This topic is highly complex. And considering the background I come from, maybe I’m not sensitive enough to fully understand it. If anyone wants to add their two cents in, please do.
I’m not condoning child labour. But I am condemning the way we chose to eradicate it. Now, forcing an innocent small child to slave in a bottle factory or zari workshop is deplorable. And those children need to be rescued. But what about the helpless tea boy whose family of nine back home in Bihar desperately depend on his pitiful income for survival? And who cares about those shy, well mannered little boys on Worli sea face who sell packaged water and biscuits to pay for their school fees?
Quite a few households keep young children off the street by employing them to run errands. And educate them too. I take it this is wrong?
So what is to become of all these child laborers now that they’re free from the shackles of employment? I suppose the government thinks they can kiss away their boo-boos?
By stopping them from working, their problems only increase further. The tea boy and the domestic workers are now homeless. And penniless too. Good job, politicians. You’ve definitely got my vote now.
If a child is beaten, abused, overworked, underpaid, stopped from going to school, take action immediately. But if a healthy teenager wants to pay his school fees by earning a little extra income doing odd jobs, let him.
This topic is highly complex. And considering the background I come from, maybe I’m not sensitive enough to fully understand it. If anyone wants to add their two cents in, please do.
posted by Diana Kotwal at
Monday, October 30, 2006
6 Comments:
What's amazing that insetad of ensuring that these kids have a safe and clean environment to work in where they dont get abused, all we're worried about is making sure we look good by abolishing child labour. So that international countries believe, oh nice India, good India, no child labour!
Yea. But surely there must be someway out of this. May be the goverment should impose strict laws on child - birth, controlling the population. A HUGEEEE problem. And then get to funding basic primary education for these kids maybe. Ya ya I am sure doesnt erradicate the economic standards but surely be a step ahead with population being controlled.
govt did what it knows best....implementing policies that are short sighted. there could be very simple solution for this if somebody is actually looking for it.
just see how japan has emerged as great economy after the nuclear blasts. all it did was to concentrate on education and health. only this could trigger the required change.
i feel its a vicious circle of life...children work cause they need money... n are ready to do anythng for their ( HUGE ) family back home...n people who hire them they know this fact of poverty so they take advantage of them which leads to child abuse...n even if kids are doing it for their own sake, for education.. will be no doubt cos, their parents cant afford it...so it will be a long time till it finally stops...govt. just did their job by intiating it.. bt its on people to follow it..
I guess its more complex than a simple policy can deal with. Yet.. the govt hasnt the time or the sensitivity to look at a more holistic approach. there is nothing wrong with kids helping out with their own tuition or pocket money.. kids abroad start summer jobs early... plenty from lower income groups help in their homes.
but yeah.. these things are so difficult to implement and execute.. who is really keeping an eye on all the kids in the country?
When I was in grade vii, I had tried to make this point in my moral science class, but somehow (I guess because it does not exactly sound morally correct) everyone disagreed and I decided to keep such ideas to myself. I'm so glad someone agrees!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home