The term “child labor”
refers to the illegal employment of children under the age of 18 in dangerous
and potentially life threatening activities (Deshpande). Child labor is a serious problem affecting the world, and is especially
prevalent in Asia and the Pacific region. Out of the 650 million children from
the ages of 5 to 14 that currently inhabit Asia and the Pacific, 18.8 percent
are working. This represents the highest number of working children in the
world (Asia and the Pacific). In the Philippines,
this has come to be a serious issue. According to a report issued by the International
Labor Organization (ILO), there are a total of 2.4 million child laborers aged
9-17 employed in the Philippines today. That statistic does not take into
account the number of children who work under hazardous conditions on the
streets, which makes the number even higher (People’s Journal). That being
said, the exact number of child laborers cannot be determined because the government
tries to strategically hide them and make it as if they do not exist. Although
many children would rather spend their time getting an education, they have no
choice but to endure the brutal work environments in which they are placed. Parents
are unable to make enough money to support themselves alone, so they resort to forcing
their own children into labor to bring in additional funds. The rise in child
labor has resulted mainly from economic issues stemming from poverty and the inadequate
funds of families to support themselves financially.
“Between
the ages of 5 to 7 years, one in every six children has to work to earn a
living and help support his or her family” (Deshpande). This proves that around
16 percent of the entire child population in the Philippines is employed. Deep-sea
fishing is a common industry that Filipino children work in, and is a very
dangerous practice that causes many children to drown or lose their hearing (Deshpande).
Other fields that practice child labor include work in the mining and farming
industries. Although efforts have been made to eliminate child labor in the
past, the number of Filipino child laborers is still on the rise. Since 1989,
the frequency of child labor in the Philippines has been steadily
increasing at an average rate of 3.8 percent annually over a period of ten
years (ILO-IPEC). This necessity for child labor is rooted in poverty and lack
of economic opportunity. Filipino households respond to economic setbacks such
as unemployment or lack of social security by turning to their children to
amass economic gain. The need to satisfy basic requirements forces children to
give up essential rights such as the right to education and recreational
activity, taking away from their childhood and right to learn (ILO-IPEC).
While
the rise in child labor results mainly from economic instability, it results in
part from social issues as well. Tradition holds that a child must work through
solidarity with the family in order to make up for the economic burden that he
or she places on the family as a whole. Filipino families also value
helpfulness and sharing of responsibilities, and some view child labor as a
phase of socialization to train for the future (ILO-IPEC). While this is true,
many families would not force their child into labor if they were not enduring
a financial struggle of some sort. Among the causes of poverty include the
growing population and the unequal distribution of wealth in the country. Until
these issues can be solved and the economic situation can become more stable, child
labor will continue to be a significant problem in the Philippines.
Born to a poor family, one child in particular is quoted as saying, “I
want to go to school but my parents could not afford my education” (Pasaylo). At
age 13, he is one of over 100 child workers forced to work in the Balabag mines
for just 40 Philippine pesos, or one U.S. dollar, per day. He says, “I know the
risks, but I have no choice but to work. I want to go to school” (Pasaylo). Unfortunately,
this cannot happen because he has to earn a living for his family. Millions
of Filipino children like this one risk their lives each and every day to
perform dangerous and life threatening jobs against their will, and poverty is
the driving force behind it.
Works
Cited:
"Asia and the Pacific." International Labour Organization: Promoting Jobs, Protecting People. International Labour Organization (ILO), 1996. Web. 07 May 2012. <http://www.ilo.org/ipec/Regionsandcountries/Asia/lang--en/index.htm>.\
Deshpande,
Rachana. "Child Labor in Philippines." Article Alley - All the
Best News and Articles. 15 Oct. 2008. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. <http://rachanadeshpande2.articlealley.com/child-labor-in-philippines-666377.html>.
"International
Labour Organization-International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
(ILO-IPEC)." ILO. Philippine ILO, 1998. Web. 29 Apr. 2012.
<http://ipecphils.tripod.com/phillaws/intro.htm>.
Pasaylo, Jun.
"Children Labor in Philippine Mines: Poor Minors Have to Take up Working
in the Mines." Catholic News Asia. 26 Mar. 2012. Web. 02 May 2012.
<http://www.ucanews.com/2012/03/26/children-labor-in-philippine-mines>.
People's Journal. "DOLE, DSWD Urged to Address Child Labor." Journal Online. 3 Apr. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. <http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/national/27385-dole-dswd-urged-to-address-child-labor>.
People's Journal. "DOLE, DSWD Urged to Address Child Labor." Journal Online. 3 Apr. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. <http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/national/27385-dole-dswd-urged-to-address-child-labor>.
Ally’s points on this issue are completely accurate. The lack of economic opportunities in the Philippines means that many people are forced to work overseas, and so about ten million Filipinos parents are employed abroad. And although the money they send home makes an important contribution to the national economy, it is still not enough to fully support their families financially (SOS Children’s Villages). Thus the amount of poverty in the Philippines is still so extensive, that parents are forced to send their children into the work field. In fact, the US even had to start funding the country with fifteen million dollars in order to help solve the poverty issue and combat child labor (Calleja). The US Department of Labor became involved in the issue upon receiving a report from World Vision which stated that around four million Filipino children worked daily in "hazardous, exploitative labor," in consequence making the Philippines one of over 120 countries where the worst forms of child labor still exist (Calleja). So obviously, based on these reports, the child labor issue would best be solved by first fixing the undeveloped economy, with possible help from other countries.
ReplyDeleteSources:
SOS Children’s Villages. General Information on the Philippines. Web. 29 Apr. 2012.
Calleja. “US Gives US$15m Grant to Combat Child Labor”. Asia News Network. 25 Feb. 2010. 29 Apr. 2012.
Ali and Nicole are right. The economy of the Philippines must be improved in order for the problem of child labor to be solved. However, I believe that this is also a political issue, and that the Filipino government needs to step in and take action. The government has passed restrictions on child labor since the 1920s, but they have clearly been ineffective (Philippine Child Labour Laws and Legislation). This shows the lack of strength of the government, as well as its foolishness. It should start at the roots of the problem, and fix the reason for child labor. With enough effort on the part of the government, it could definitely give the economy the boost it needs to improve the country’s industry and trade. The need for child labor would then decrease as the economy improved and household incomes rose. The problem of child labor has been growing since its independence in 1946, and has reached the height of 2.4 million child workers today (Corpuz). The problem has gotten way out of hand and has only grown larger within the past 60 years, and the lack of government intervention and strong political backing into child labor laws is a major factor of this problem.
ReplyDeleteCorpuz, Niña. "Child workers in Philippines number 2.4 M." ABS-CBNnews.com. ABS-CBN Interactiv, 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012.
"Philippine Child Labour Laws and Legislation." Working Together Against Child Labor: The Philippine Campaign. Philippine ILO, 1998. Web. 29 Apr. 2012.
While I agree with Ally that the economical issues lead to social issues, I think the main reason for child labor in the Philippines is social. Parents do not send their children to school, even if they can afford it because “they cannot see what use schooling would be to him”(The Philippine Campaign). They believe that the education their children would receive is not more important than working. Also there are centuries-old traditions that the children must work through solidarity with the family group (The Philippine Campaign). These traditions force the children to work. Philippine culture especially in rural areas, "considers child work as a phase of socialization where future roles are learned and working to share in the family is seen as a training (The Philippine Campaign). The parents of these children see that by working them at a young age, they are preparing them for the future. Even more than education could prepare them. That is how social issues are main reason for child labor in the Philippines.
ReplyDeleteThe Philippine Campaign. "International Labour Organization-International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (ILO-IPEC)." ILO. 1998. Web. 04 May 2012. .
Based on the research and opinions of my peers, I have come to the conclusion that economic underdevelopment is not the sole explanation for the child labor crisis. Although the instability of the economy is a huge cause of the problem, other factors play an important role as well. For example, political action must be taken in order to improve the status of the economy and thus put an end to the problem. Right now, the government lacks the strength to take direct action and therefore cannot enforce any restrictions placed on child labor in the past. Social issues also play a role in the rise of child labor because parents favor working over education for their children. Tradition holds that children must make up for the burden they place on the family, which motivates them to work at a young age. Overall, the problem of child labor in the Philippines comes from a combination of economic, social, and political issues, and all three must be solved in order for the conflict to be resolved completely.
ReplyDelete