Overview of Child Labor: Definition and Scope

Child labor is a serious social problem that exists worldwide, in both developed and developing countries. Thus, it is significant to note that the scope of this problem varies from one country to another depending on several variables: country’s legal, economic, financial and educational standards… It is a widespread problem noticed in poor districts and outskirts, besides to its remarkable expansion to central cities. Cases of child labor are viewed on a daily basis in various domains, and places such as: children working in agriculture, manufacturing factories, supermarkets, and restaurants… Child labor can be defined as the involvement of children, who are below a certain minimum age, in harmful employment practices. Such practices could have been chosen by children voluntarily or forced on them by their parents for financial purposes.

Solutions to Child labor

We can all imagine the magnitude of this problem all over the world especially in poor countries. Although various labor laws have been issued to challenge this problem, such efforts were ineffective in enforcing the eradication of child labor. However, knowing that poverty is the actual cause of child labor, governments should try to initially solve this issue which in turn will give way to abolishing child servitude. Moreover, societies should understand that issuing labor laws is not enough. The answer to this problem requires a unified commitment by all members of the society including schools, police and labor force. They should work together to promote the welfare of future generations.

Unit for Combat of Child Labor in Lebanon

The Lebanese ministry of labor has a Unit for Combat of Child Labor. This specialized unit focuses on discouraging child labor. It was originally established to tackle the harmful effect of child labor on both the children and society. One of its goals is to increase and spread knowledge on the dangerous conditions that faces children at work. Another objective is the integration of various efforts produced by governmental bodies, social organizations, and regional and international associations. In fact, this unit will enforce its objective through creating a database, specialized library, and a website on child labor. It will also organize professional training sessions for working children (above 15 years old) and others concerned with the issue.

World Day against Child Labor

This year the World Day against Child Labor will be celebrated on June 12, 2010. The goal of this campaign is to promote awareness and encourage people to take effective measures against employment of children. This effort to end child labor calls for the following:

• An improved necessity to challenge different types of child labor.


• Motivating efforts on various levels (global, national, and local) to take appropriate action against child labor in order to decrease poverty, enhance social welfare, and develop new educational plans.


• Creating political, social, civil, and national dedication to deal with this issue through raising awareness.

Arguments in Favor of Child Labor

Although in abstract terms most people do believe that employment of children is wrong, cruel, and inhumane, yet contrasting arguments exist in defense of this issue. In fact, the supporters of child labor argue that working children is acceptable as long as it doesn’t get in the way of their school work. It also supports the financial status of their families which can be extremely important for poor families in underprivileged countries. They say that children should work to survive; otherwise, they won’t be able to help their families and meet the minimum standards for a peaceful life. So, they believe that poverty is a justified explanation for child labor.

Citations

Citations for content:

International Labour Organization. (2010). IPEC. Retrieved March 2010, from International Labour Organization: http://www.ilo.org/ipec/Campaignandadvocacy/WDACL/WorldDay2010/lang--en/index.htm
Ministry of Labour-Child Labour Unit. (2003). Retrieved March 2010, from Unit for Combat of Child Labour in Lebanon: http://www.clu.gov.lb/english/definition/index.html


Citations for pictures:

Aman (2009). India and Child Labor. Retrieved from http://www.indiabuzzing.com/wp-content/uploads/india-and-child%20labor6.jpeg&imgrefurl=http:/www.indiabuzzing.com/2009/06/&usg=__9ra01IQzkkuXNiATGfTJE4aVUww=&h=293&w=401&sz=36&hl=en&start=34&itbs=1&tbnid=HkvT7jPZUqKt3M:&tbnh=91&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchild%2Blabor%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1


International Labour organization. (2010). World Day against Child Labour. Retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/ipec/Campaignandadvocacy/WDACL/WorldDay2010/lang--en/index.htm


Ministry of Labour-Child labour Unit. (2003). Unit for Combat of Child Labour. Retrieved from http://www.clu.gov.lb/english/definition/index.html

Mormon matters. (2008). Child labor. Retrieved from http://images.google.com.lb/imgres?imgurl=http://mormonmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/child-labor-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://mormonmatters.org/2008/04/07/what-children-know-a-childrens-rebuttal-to-elder-ballards-conference-talk/&usg=__EzMf4tOfuSB1Yg5ceh4bx29cYXo=&h=406&w=475&sz=50&hl=en&start=20&itbs=1&tbnid=FmoUJZDM3itNqM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=129&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchild%2Blabor%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1

Stolen Childhood. (2005). Yemen to fight Child Labour. Retrieved from http://www.stolenchildhood.net/entry/yemen-to-fight-child-labour/

Trekearth. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/South/Tamil_Nadu/Chennai/photo742050.htm&usg=__2JY8FmVNenznS6BsiLGcWehKR8=&h=750&w=750&sz=145&hl=en&start=37&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=cp85cPUqyL53aM:&tbnh=141&tbnw=141&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchild%2Blabor%26start%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1R2GGLL_en%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1