Child Labour is among the inhuman abuses against humanity. It is the employment of children in various works that deprives them of their fundamental human right, such as the right to attend regular school and also to recreate with their fellow children. Child labor is rampant in many developing countries. According to International Labour Organization (ILO), a total of 250 million children are working as labour in the world. The number of child labour in Africa is estimated around 80 millions. The health related issues and psychological effects of child labour are very high as children often incur various degrees of injuries through child labour.
Article 3 No. 182 of ILO Convention outlined different categories of child labour: (a) all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour, including forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict; (b) the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances; (c) the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs as defined in the relevant international treaties; (d) work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.”
So many factors are contributing to the increase in child labour:
1. Parental support: Most of the children who engage in child labour do so because they wanted to help their parents. Some of them claim that they are supporting their poor parents in their trade. These are the children you see either helping their parents in stores, farmland, or even hawking around. In as much as we encourage children to be obedient to their parents. But there is also time for everything. Children should go to school when other children are in school. When they come back from school they may assist their parents but not to the detriment of their health or studies.
2. Most children are forced to work by their parents: This is the worst thing any parents can do, namely to force children to work against their will when they are not even old enough to engage in such work. Such children may be dying in silence since they know that they have no other choice. Parents should learn to respect the will and feelings of their children, especially when he has to do with their fundamental right. Children should not be forced to do work that is above their age.
3. Children are Given out as maid servants: Some heartless parents who are not ready to face their responsibility usually give their children out to rich stranger in exchange of money. By so doing they are receiving monthly wages on behalf of the children. Those who acquire those children use them for all kinds of hard labour. They are beaten up mercilessly. And in most cases they sustain all kinds of injuries. This is another form of slavery! And according to Kailash Satyarthi, “Child slavery is a crime against humanity. Humanity itself is at stake here. A lot of work still remains, but I will see the end of child labor in my lifetime.” The only way to end modern child slavery is to discourage all forms of maidservants. Every parents shoud take proper care of their children.
4. Child Labour as a result of illiterates: Cool and white-collar jobs are often reserved for the educated ones whereas tedious jobs are for illiterates. Children who are not educated are most likely to engage in hard labours. These hard labours does not even fetch enough money. In most cases these children work like elephant and they eat like ants.
6. Hatred for Western Education: Most children, especially those in the Northern parts of Nigeria are biased when it comes to Western education. This is actually what Boko Harram is all about. Since they are not interested in education the other choice is to engage in child labour. That is why you often see underaged children doing the work of herdsmen or if you like herds-children.
7. The love of money: The love of money is the root of all evil. The worst thing anyone can do is to expose children to money at a very tender age. the moment children develop interest in money through mini jobs that is the end of education. Most children would prefer to make quick money than to spend most of their time studying at school.
8. Child Labour as a result of Ignorance: Most children are ignorant of their right. Some of them don’t even see education as their fundamental right. Some parents and even the government usual treat education as though it is a favour one of doing for some favoured ones. Every child is entitled to free and quality education. That is their right!
9. Distorted view of a child: Most people don’t really understand who a child is. They see children as their property. Most farmers get married to so many wives, so that they could give birth to so many children who will serve as their labourers. As such children are no longer seen as human persons with rights and dignity but as an object and instruments.
10. Child Abuse: Child Labour is a major form of child abuse. A major form of child abuse is the use of children for prostitution and for pornography. Any form of abuse against a child is an abuse against humanity. Children should not be exposed to immoral acts and they should not be used for sexual gratification. Child abuse and child molestation is indeed a serious crime.
Most people often think that child labour is a way of reducing poverty whereas child labour actually contributes to the high level of poverty in the society. “Child labor and poverty are inevitably bound together and if you continue to use the labor of children as the treatment for the social disease of poverty, you will have both poverty and child labor to the end of time.” (Grace Abbott). Education is the and job creation is the best way to eliminate poverty and not through child labour.
Considering the negative effects of child labour, the ILO has launched the World Day Against Child Labour to be observed every 12th day of June. World Day Against Child Labor was created in 2002 to prevent child labor “in economic and military fields.” The theme of this year’s world Day Against Child Labour is Generation Safe & Healthy. The only way to build a safe and healthy generation is by protecting the right and safety of every child in the society.
His holiness Pope Francis offers solution to child labour. According to him, “All children must be able to play, study, pray and grow, in their families.” He however noted that “There are millions of children, mostly girls, who are victims of this hidden form of exploitation that often involves abuse, mistreatment and discrimination” The Holy Father then makes a passionate appeal, saying, “It is my heartfelt hope that the international community will initiate still more effective measures in addressing this authentic plague.” Free and compulsory education is a way forward!
Our Lord Jesus Christ places a curse on all those who abuse children through child labour and other immoral acts: “If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). With this declaration, Child labour, child trafficking, child abuse and other form of attacks against children are hereby cancelled in Jesus name – Amen!
