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Child Labor - spare a thought!
Jun 19 2008 | Views 451 |
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Tags: alternate arrangements poverty line indian economy foremost task child labor Child labour
Tags: alternate arrangements poverty line indian economy foremost task child labor Child labour
Undoubtedly, child labor is one of the serious issues that plague oursociety. This is not only observed in India but countries throughout the world. Invariably all magazines, NGOs, news channels devote some time or pages to cover this subject. However, it seems that eradication of Child Labor is next to impossible. How far can we eliminate child labor? If achieved, what impact will it have on the Indian Economy? These are some of the rhetorical questions that arise.
The foremost task towards elimination of child labor is “providing primary education to all kids”. Education is their right and all of us (blessed to be privileged) along with the Government should do the needful to provide them this. Easier said than done! However, child labor cannot be stopped without considering the consequences. We should be prepared with the alternate arrangements for the havoc child labor elimination would create.
I just can’t imagine the amount of the problems faced by families under the poverty line. Are the parents not interested in getting their kids educated? Then why they have to depute their kids to earn money by doing some job or other. Stop your vehicle at any traffic signal in our country. You will be invaded by kids seeking alms. They are employees of their parents, who in the name of recreation produce kids that can be used for as investment!
While we foresee all rosy pictures, we fail to see the reality of those people who suffer from the poverty. Can any one assure them that whoever studies get an employment? What is the surety that if this kid, if made study, would excel in study (or even pass the SSC) so as to make an earning? Scholarship, mid-day meal – are these sufficient to encourage these kids to study? I am not against these kids studying but would like to see the other side of the story.
Let us visualize this scene. All these working kids are adapted by an NGO who made them pass SSC. These kids started working. In India, there are no child labors. Now that these kids have passed SSC, the competition is heating up and they naturally expect more perks. Now, the hotelier has to shell out double the amount what he paid to clean a table or to supply water; we may have to spend double the amount for the crackers we buy today, same is the story with our inner garments!
Will this solve our problem or bring in more problems?
I would like to share another story from an NGO. An NGO gathered all the beggars (of course kids) from a city and brought them to a vocational training school. It was an “Earn as you learn” course! These kids were paid for the job they did. Surprisingly, after a month (once the euphoria receded) all the kids escaped from the place. When they were contacted they replied, "we were earning around Rs 250/- a day on an average and during festive seasons, we used to earn even Rs 500 /- day whereas here after a months toiling, we are paid only Rs 750/- Why should I work here when I get ten times more outside without studying?"
I knew a kid worked in the auto-mechanic shop opposite to my house. Now he owns a garage repairing cars. Even had he done an automobile engineering course, he would not be earning so much!
Whether you like it or not, in India, one's success is measured by the wealth he amasses!
Another grey area is how to classify child labor? Should I say, those kids who are participating in the “talent-hunt” shows hosted by TV Channels are also child labor. They are paid and channels earn through them? Should we say, “Child artistes are child labor?” Imagine the sudden demise of a businessman bereaved by an uneducated spouse but smart kid. This kid takes up his father’s business. Is this child labor? A road side vendor utilizes the service of his son in his work – is this child labor? – How do we discriminate?
Then why don’t we stop child artiste featuring in films and advts? Why don’t the talent shows are stopped from beaming in air? Elite is elite! They are always excused!
I do agree the kids have to get educated but teach them in the evenings, allow them to work because they are winning the bread for their family. There are lots of families who rely on such kids working elsewhere! If you are keen on making these kids educated do it without spoiling their earnings.
I would like to recall Gandhi’s words, "In India we have three million people who have to be satisfied with one meal a day. We have no right to anything we have until these three million are fed better. You and I, who ought to know better, must adjust our wants, and even undergo voluntary starvation in order that they may be nursed, fed and clothed.”
I beg to differ from Gandhi. Why should I starve because someone else does so! Instead, I should be ready to share my food with them or make a way that they do not remain starving. Let us not starve but we can always pool in our wealth as to make these study without spoiling their earnings. Of course, this needs an innovative solution. There are organizations doing such yeomen service to the society. Let us help them but please do not talk of stopping child labor. 'Coz this feeds many a families here.
© Gopalkrishanan., all rights reserved.
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