OPENING STATEMENT
“The State shall provide special protection to children from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination and other conditions prejudicial to their development including child labor and its worst forms; provide sanctions for their commission and carry out a program for prevention and deterrence of, and crisis intervention in situations of child abuse, exploitation and discrimination” (Robles, 1992).
Childhood is the most innocent stage in a human life. It is that phase of life where a child is free from all the tensions, fun-loving, play and learns new things, and is the sweetheart of all the family members. But not all children get to experience this. Some are full of tensions and burdens. Here, the innocent child is not the sweetheart of the family members, instead he is an earning machine working the entire day in order to satisfy the needs and wants of his/her family--- this is called “child labor”.
Childhood is the most innocent stage in a human life. It is that phase of life where a child is free from all the tensions, fun-loving, play and learns new things, and is the sweetheart of all the family members. But not all children get to experience this. Some are full of tensions and burdens. Here, the innocent child is not the sweetheart of the family members, instead he is an earning machine working the entire day in order to satisfy the needs and wants of his/her family--- this is called “child labor”.
NOT ORIGINAL (2)
Child labor is defined as illegally employing children below the age of 18 in dangerous and life threatening jobs. Child labor is prevalent in rock quarries, farms, industries, mines and fishing (Deshpande, 2008). According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), there is an estimate of 3.6 million child laborers in the Philippines from the age of 5 to 17 years old.
However there is a need to differentiate the meaning between “child labor” and “child work”. An example of child work is asking a child to do household chores at home. Since you do not pay a child after doing household chores, then this is not considered child labor. Child mendicancy is not considered as child labor because there is no economic output.
However there is a need to differentiate the meaning between “child labor” and “child work”. An example of child work is asking a child to do household chores at home. Since you do not pay a child after doing household chores, then this is not considered child labor. Child mendicancy is not considered as child labor because there is no economic output.
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM IN OUR SOCIETY?
Child labor is one of the most alarmingly widespread and far-reaching crisis that face and concern most countries and the Philippines. Along with it is the compromising of basic rights and necessities in the life of a child, like a healthy environment, formal education, and most importantly, a loving family to come home to must not be indifferent to us and deprived to a child. Poverty hinders the child from ever knowing the aforementioned things and forces, sometimes against their own will or without their consent. Instead, they experience labor in farming fields, living in mining shafts, peddling in the busy and dangerous streets of the country. It basically branches out to other social problems our country is experiencing as well.
HISTORY AND STATISTICS OF CHILD LABOR IN THE PHILIPPINES
Economic activity and household chores, children 7-14 years:
NOT ORIGINAL (5)
Child labor in the Philippines has been a problem ever since the late 90s. When the Philippines gained independence from America in 1946, the Philippines was allowed to make its own child labor laws. The child labor law of the Philippines, Section 12 Article VII of R.A 7610, otherwise known as the “Special Protection of Children against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act” indicates that children below fifteen years of age shall not be employed unless they have a special permit from the Secretary of Labor. This allowed any child to work. But ever since the 1960s, the Philippines has added new laws that ratified three international conventions adopted by the International Labor Organization (ILO).
But even with these laws in placed, child labor continues to be a problem for the Philippines. The ILO estimates that there are approximately 4 million child workers in the country and out of this 4 million, 2.4 million children workers are engaged in hazardous work that expose them to chemical, physical and biological hazards.
But even with these laws in placed, child labor continues to be a problem for the Philippines. The ILO estimates that there are approximately 4 million child workers in the country and out of this 4 million, 2.4 million children workers are engaged in hazardous work that expose them to chemical, physical and biological hazards.
WHAT SOCIAL FACTORS INSTIGATE CHILD LABOR IN OUR COUNTRY?
The main causes of child labor include poverty, lack of protection from the government, unemployment, and excess population. Among all of these, poverty is the primary cause of child labor. Poor families have a greater number of children; in most cases, they make their children work to ensure the survival of their family. Though they are not well paid, they are still considered as major contributors to family income.
Lack of protection from government also fosters child labor. Since the enforcement is highly unmonitored, the number of enforcement officials is low, and inconsistencies are present in legislation, child labor is most occur. The family’s financial situation and their need for money are great instigators of social issue in the Philippines.
Lack of protection from government also fosters child labor. Since the enforcement is highly unmonitored, the number of enforcement officials is low, and inconsistencies are present in legislation, child labor is most occur. The family’s financial situation and their need for money are great instigators of social issue in the Philippines.
CONSEQUENCES IN SOCIETY
Many small girls are made to indulge in prostitution; this also happens when human trafficking occurs. They could get health problems because of what and where their work is; since they are still young to work, health complications may occur because of the strenuous work and lack of sleep. They may also suffer physical and mental torture; when their employers aren’t satisfied with what they’re doing, they might scold them or worse hurt them. It also causes illiteracy. When they start to work, they will have no more time to study especially the ones who are living in poverty, because they don’t have enough money to be able to go to school.
ARE THERE LAWS ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM? DOES IT OR DOES IT NOT HELP?
The following laws aim to address child labor in the Philippine setting:
a) RA No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination)
b) RA No. 7658 (An Act Prohibiting the Employment of Children below 15 Years of Age in Public and Private Undertakings)
c) RA No. 9231 (Act Providing the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection for the Working Child)
No, these laws do not help in the total abolishment of child labor in the country but it does help in protecting the rights of children if ever this act is pinpointed. The problem is that no one takes action to report these acts of child labor, knowing that it is a part of everyday living. It is not part of everyday living; children below the age of 15 deserve to live a life focusing on education and their identity formations. These laws, if not changed or reformed, should be strongly implemented instead.
a) RA No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination)
b) RA No. 7658 (An Act Prohibiting the Employment of Children below 15 Years of Age in Public and Private Undertakings)
c) RA No. 9231 (Act Providing the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection for the Working Child)
No, these laws do not help in the total abolishment of child labor in the country but it does help in protecting the rights of children if ever this act is pinpointed. The problem is that no one takes action to report these acts of child labor, knowing that it is a part of everyday living. It is not part of everyday living; children below the age of 15 deserve to live a life focusing on education and their identity formations. These laws, if not changed or reformed, should be strongly implemented instead.
RECOMMENDATIONS
NOT ORIGINAL (9)
Child labor is rising and spreading quickly, thus we strongly believe that our government must take action to regulate or stop this. Parents must educate their children instead of forcing them to work because labor is an adult’s responsibility. Our legislative power must strongly implement laws addressing those people practicing forced child labor on their children. The Philippines must implement a law that all underprivileged children must have free education. We, as students, should make like a viral campaign to stop forced child labor and we should give these children their chance to feel free and educated.