Justice Matters: Child Labour Day

Falls this month and tragically, UNICEF report approximately 160 million children were subjected to child labour at the beginning of 2020, with 9 million additional children at risk due to the impact of COVID-19.

See:     We see that child labour falls heavily on those already in vulnerable or precarious situations.  Often, child labour occurs when families face financial challenges or uncertainty – whether due to poverty, sudden illness of a caregiver, or job loss of a primary wage earner.  UNICEF write that “Migrant and refugee children – many of whom have been uprooted by conflict, disaster or poverty – also risk being forced into work and even trafficked, especially if they are migrating alone or taking irregular routes with their families.”   They add that the consequences are dire “Child labour can result in extreme bodily and mental harm, and even death. It can lead to slavery and sexual or economic exploitation. And in nearly every case, it cuts children off from schooling and health care, restricting their fundamental rights and threatening their futures.” Child labour exists near at home, in the UK and the Independent newspaper reports “The majority of modern slaves identified are subject to forced labour, sexual exploitation or domestic servitude.”

Reflect:     Jesus is the friend of children – he shone a light on them on many occasions to show us adults, how we should behave.  In his address to the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour Pope Francis said “the way we relate to children, the extent to which we respect their innate human dignity and fundamental rights, expresses what kind of adults we are and want to be, and what kind of society we want to build.”

Act:     The video at the top of the article is a little dated but watchable and still relevant as child labour continues.  It tells the story of children trying to find jobs in Germany.   There are ways to combat child labour and perhaps you can read this short article.

In the article it talks about the importance of businesses and governments being involved in ensuring markets are well regulated.  Our choices as consumers are important.  The more computer literate (or young) could use social media to investigate their purchases and provide comment to the business.  An old fashioned letter to the business to tell them how important it is for children to be at school can start a debate.  We could perhaps increase our awareness of fair trade as an ethical option. Buying from charity shops ensures that at least on their resale the garment/item is going to an organisation pledged to do good. 

The article also talks about countries signing up to sustainable development goals which would ensure that children were educated rather than exploited.  This link takes you to a chart which explains the goals and gives practical examples.