Nika Tarkian Human Rights, Youth

Child Labor and Its Toll on Humanity

Dear Activist,

Take a moment to look back on your childhood; do you remember attending school, establishing new relationships, and learning how to ride a bicycle? You are given the most valuable privilege of being oblivious to the world outside your neighborhood. Unfortunately, 152 million children are forced into child labor and, as a result, shed a layer of innocence at an early age. Child labor is a global issue, and it is now our responsibility to put an end to it.

According to Stop Child Labor, child labor is when a child performs work that is likely to interfere with his or her right to education. In addition, child labor can potentially be harmful to a child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. As stated by the International Labor Rights Forum, teenagers who work more than 20 hours per week are at a higher risk of developing problematic social behaviors. Children are also more prone to diseases that can affect their physical development.

As of now, 152 million children worldwide work as child laborers, demonstrating progression since 2000. Within that 152 million, 85 million laborers work in conditions that are unsafe due to the threat of toxic chemicals. Children from 5 to 17 years old work up to 110 hours per week and struggle earning $2 a day; furthermore, nearly 70% of children try to support their families but go unpaid.

Even in countries where strong child labor laws are set in place, the labor departments and inspection offices lack the proper funding to enforce them. Similarly, many state governments distribute few resources to enforcing those laws. As a result, violations of child labor laws and codes of conduct are frequent.

Activate Change

Through the power of our voices, we have the ability to generate change. It is unjust to strip children of their childhoods and force them to work in strenuous conditions. There are numerous opportunities at our fingertips that can help demand justice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Any action is better than none; ensure that societal obstacles, such as poverty, do not correlate to an increase in child laborers.

  • Educate yourself on this issue and read this UNICEF guide.
  • Contact stores, manufacturers, and importers and ask them questions regarding the origins of their products. Let them know you want to buy products that do not involve child labor.
  • Look for verified trade labels from Fair Trade Certified, Fairtrade America, and Goodweave to support practices without child labor.
  • Grow more of your own food.
  • Donate to groups that help liberate children from exploitative labor and get them a good education.
  • Keep others informed by giving presentations to schools, nonprofits, and other groups and encouraging change.
  • Contact your legislators and encourage them to support tolerant and sustainable businesses.

Child labor exists because people accept and invent excuses for it. Children’s rights are not respected, governments fail to establish education systems that support poor and vulnerable children, consumers demand cheap products, and employers benefit from cheap labor. We have not done enough to stop this.

Putting an end to child labor immediately is imperative. Most of us are oblivious as to how prominent child labor is in our everyday lives. We must take it upon ourselves to face this issue with a sense of urgency and demand change. We have the world at our feet, and I insist you do something beneficial with the power you possess.

Cordially,

Nika Tarkian