The Industrial Revolution that evolved in the late 1700s set the stage for the best times in the history of global economy. It caused a drastic shift from dependence on agriculture to a more sophisticated way of industrial production occasioned by the use of machineries for increased productivity. By 1850, the Industrial Revolution had made Great Britain the wealthiest country in the world! However, it made another shift, a shift towards cheap labour fueled by optionless men and women, and worst still, children who were deprived of the euphoria and adequate care of their early years. Of course, the fact that you and I and some other people, whether we are aware of it or not, benefit one way or the other from the products or services made possible by child labour does not always necessarily mean we are to be blamed, neither will it be worthwhile to put the blame on the parents of these children— really the situation is so much more complex than a blame game. So many factors are at play, leading people to a helpless desperation to make their children go to work and support some, and sometimes all the family’s financial needs and basic expenses.
However, even though the nature of child labour which differs from one geographical location, culture and ideology to another, makes it quite uneasy to point the index finger of blame to a particular person or organisation, the truth is that some individuals or groups, and especially, small businesses exploit child labour to increase productivity, decrease costs, maximise profit and minimise or even avoid almost, if not completely, all complaints or expressions of dissatisfaction in their working places.
What are the Causes?
While it is may not be justified to point to one single factor as the only cause of child labour, it is reasonable, however, to conclude that poverty is at the very apex of these causes. Impoverishment may lead to hunger that may eventually drive one to do despicable things— anything— just to survive. In a country like Nepal where brick production is a multi-million dollar industry, there are more than 1500 registered brick factories spread across the country. Despite the illegality of child labour in the country, over a million children engage in hazardous labours, and kids as young as 8 years old are endangered in exploitative work in these brick factories. But when the simple question is asked—why? There is usually one answer on the lips of every parent and keen, objective observer—poverty! Today, the effects of poverty is more evident on the African continent, pushing more and more under-aged children to do works that are beyond their natural capabilities but which they manage to do and even become used to, all thanks to the impetus and incessant motivation of systemic poverty. When financial insufficiency progresses to penury or extreme poverty, many children perform labour for a pay that is next to nothing, as long as it can put food in their belly. In this incapacitated situation, children become more concerned, not about material possessions, but just enough to eat and drink one day at a time!
Another factor influencing child labour is the recent trend of parents encouraging their wards to learn a skill with which they can work with their hands. This practice is especially common in impoverished or financially poor societies where finding white-collar jobs can be very difficult, if not impossible. Unfortunately, these child-apprentices may be liable to mistreatment and labour beyond their strength from their trainers or as they are locally called in Yoruba, ‘Ogas’, all in the name of helping them learn the trade, but actually subjecting these young minds to exploitation. While learning these trades, the children are usually overworked without pay other than their feeding, if they live with their trainers, and probably just lunch if they do not. Usually, these unsuitable or improper treatments are justified as ideal, even by the parents of the child, to help the young apprentice learn the ‘toughness’ and tenacity that the trade demands to gain discipline and expertise and be successful.
When George Washington Carver said: “Education is the key to unlock the door of freedom”, he, in fact, meant what he said. He knew, quite accurately, the power education wields in enlightening and transforming the mind, and that a mind that does not know is never truly free. Unfortunately, the standard of education that should have set our young minds free, especially in the developing countries, is nothing to write home about. In 2023, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) noted that regions with high child labour rates often have low school enrollment or high dropout rates, especially among girls. This implies that the recurring regression in educational infrastructure and the resulting fall in the value of education contribute significantly to the spread of child labour. Children usually drop out of schools when their parents or guardians can no longer afford their tuition, but, of course, they will not stay idle— they fall prey to all sorts of juvenile labours and economic manipulations and exploitations.
Furthermore, child labour is being reinforced across the globe by ineffective or poor enforcement mechanisms, the aftermath of bribery and corruption, extreme capitalism, inequality, economic deregulation and so on. Even in countries where child labour is illegal, many children are still under the yoke of exploitation due to the nonchalant attitude of some governments and their institutions toward social-welfarism Also, the lack of sufficient manpower in the law enforcement agencies contributes to the proliferation of different forms of child labour like street hawking, domestic services, agricultural labour, manufacturing and industrial labour. These anomalies in the area of regulation and implementation further contribute to the use of children one of the worst forms of child labour which involves trafficking children to be used for forced labour or sexual exploitation and other heart-rending, inhumane practices that are even unbearable for adult minds.
The Ways Forward?
The very first step in demystifying a problem is to be convinced of the fact that there is an anomaly, therefore, child labour will never be eradicated if it is not first perceived as a problem that is truly inimical to the normal development and well-being of children. Only when we take the initiative to really pause, think, reason logically and objectively, only then can we truly see the effects of exploitation on our young minds and the threats it poses for their future.
Once we have been able to establish, successfully, that child labour is a social problem that must not be handled with levity, then, it is the duty of the governments and international organisations like United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to enact laws and regulations to protect the rights of the child against any form of exploitation. More importantly, regulatory and implementational mechanisms, that are truly functional, should be put in place to ensure these laws are followed to the letter. Also, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the defaulters of these laws and regulations and the perpetrators of this evil are all brought to book which will serve as deterrent to others.
Quality, standard education is a powerful tool to help children become enlightened and be equipped to unleash their potentials for excellence, so that they can be useful for themselves and the society in which they live. Good education liberates the mind, therefore, it should be encouraged, especially in areas where child labour is rampart. Education should be made free and compulsory, and the parents and guardians of these children should be sensitised on the need to allow their children attend schools and not work during school hours so they can concentrate on their learning. Adequate facilities and learning materials should be supplied to these schools which they may not be able to afford due to extreme poverty. In a situation whereby the children may not be able to attend day-school, alternative education programme should be incorporated into the school curriculum to accommodate the availability of these incapacitated children.
Moreover, the government, through partnership with NGOs and international organisations like Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and International Monetary Fund (IMF), should set up poverty alleviation schemes for the impoverished individuals, groups and communities. This will contribute immensely to the improvement in the standard of living and reduce the tendency of children hawking in the streets, working as house boys and girls, working the fields or factories and other exploitative, hazardous works. Even the parents will be able to get paid jobs through which they can earn income or get credits to take care of their families and children, without being forced by poverty to send them out on the street to earn wages for the family.
In addition to poverty reduction programmes, the masses should be well-informed about the effects of child labour and the need for its eradication without any form of discrimination. Parents, and especially, business owner should be sensitised and encouraged to disallow and refrain from hiring child labour respectively. These sensitisation programmes should be carried out both in urban and rural locations to ensure that all hands are on deck to end this problem. Seminars, campaigns, community awareness events, television and radio broadcasting, newspaper, journals are some of the mediums through which people everywhere can be in the know, motivated and inclined to take informed actions against the problems of child labour.
Most importantly, while trying to prevent child labour it would be grossly unkind to forget the children who are already victims and suffering from the effects of child labour, or leave them out of the picture. On the contrary, rehabilitation and sustainable support should be provided for affected children. Many of these dear children suffer from abuse and emotional trauma, therefore, they should be provided with both physical, psychological, emotional, and financial support to rehabilitate them into their normal social order. And for older children who are the legal age to work, they should be enrolled in vocational training that will not interfere with their schooling hour. Vocational training provides older children with a safe, ideal system of training that prepares them for dignified work life now and in the future to come.
All well said and done, whether child labour should continue, or not— the answer is in our hands. Henceforth, what we choose to do and what we choose not to do, all point back to what our attitude towards that statement really is—an indication of who we truly are on the inside. When we all have contributed our quota in making the world a better place for one and all, only then will we have become truly free, untethered from the chains of selfishness, oppression and hatred. Only then will we be able to truly show the depth of our love for fellow humans, and only then would we have enough reasons to claim to have known the mind of God—the perfect embodiment of love. Always remember what Prof. John Nash said: “It’s only in the mysterious equations of love that any logical reasons can be found”—no reasoning is logical enough unless it is based on love— and no love is indeed logical to bear the discomfort and suffering of another!
Written By: Tunde Ojerinola
