Child labor means employment of a child in any kind of work other than household chores. The age, until which a person will be considered a child, varies from places to places. Of course, an age limit has been suggested by the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment convention 1973. It was adopted by the International Labor Organization. This age limit varies within 14 to 16 years of age. Childhood is not a time for labor. It is the time for learning and leisurely activities that are necessary for their physical and mental growth. Yet so, a staggering 215 million children are engaged in some form of child labor.
Reasons behind child labor
Developed countries banned child labor in the last century. But before that child labours played an important role in the industrial revolution of those countries as well. In the developing world, some people argue that the main reason behind child labor is poverty of their parents. Parents often cannot afford to send their children to school. They rather expect their children to earn and support the family. Broken families are another big reason behind child labor. In broken families, neither of the parents wishes to take the responsibilities of the child and the child is left to fend for him/herself. Also, an employer employing a child usually pays only a fraction of the remuneration he would pay to an adult worker. So, employing children means more profit for the employer. This is why many employers are therefore willing to employ child worker.
The good news is that the number of children worker has been decreased in recent years. International Labor Organization (ILO)’s second Global Report, which came out in 2006, stated that significant progress have been made in the fight against child labor. Based on that progress trend, ILO expected that the child labor would be eliminated totally, at least in its worst forms, by 2016. But that target may be difficult to achieve, as recent statistics show.
Present situation
The war on child labor is still on, as according to information provided by the ILO, still a staggering 215 million children are engaged in some form of child labor of which 115 million are exposed to hazardous work. As stated above, children usually take up employment because of poverty. International community, government and non-government organizations need to come forward and work together to ensure better future for poor children, so they can stay home and continue their education.