Child Labour and slavery in our society

By SABEEN SHEIKH ABID

Child labour is an old problem well rooted in human history. Children were exploited to various extend during different periods of time. The problem is common in poor and developing countries. Child labour refers to the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives children of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and is mentally, physically, socially, or morally harmful. The work that deprives children of their childhood, potential and dignity and that is harmful to physical, and mental development called as child labour. The worst forms of child labour involve children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards and illnesses, and left to fend for themselves on the streets of large cities, often at incredibly early age. Whether or not particular forms of work can be called child labour depends on the child’s age, the type and hours of work performed, the conditions under which it is performed, and the objectives pursued by individual countries. Such exploitation is prohibited by legislation worldwide. Child labour has existed to varying extents throughout history. Around the world one in four children are engaged in child labour. For decades, child labour has been an important global issue associated with inadequate educational opportunities, poverty, and gender inequality.
Child labour is morally and ethically unacceptable. Millions of children around the world are trapped in child labour, depriving them of their childhood, their health and education and condemning them to a life of poverty. Many children are stuck in unacceptable work for children, this is a serious violation of their rights. Recent global estimates that 168 million children aged 5 to 17 are engaged in child labour. Millions of children suffer in the other worst forms of child labour, including slavery and slavery like practices such as forced and bonded labour and child soldering, sexual exploitation, or are used by adults in illicit activities including drug trafficking.
Child labour spans various sectors, including agriculture. manufacturing, quarrying, and mining and domestic service. Often, it is hidden from public eye. Child labour is the combined product of many factors, such as poverty, social norms condoning it, lack of decent work opportunities. It is not only a cause, but also consequences of social inequities reinforced by discrimination. Children from indigenous group or lower castes are more likely to drop out of school to work. Migrant children are also vulnerable to hidden and illicit labour. The continuing persistence of child labour poses a threat to national economies and has severe negative short- and long-term consequences for the fulfilment of children’s rights.
Child labour is preventable, not inevitable. Effective action against child labour requires children to be placed squarely at the centre of programmes designed to protect children’s rights. Looking at child labour through a broader lens, addressing the full range of children’s vulnerabilities and protection challenges comes because of the recognition that these wider concerns are not always fully addressed in action against child labour.
The topic gained attention with the industrial revolution. Research into the impacts of child labour suggests several associations between child labour and adverse health outcomes. Additionally, children who work are more susceptible to malnutrition, which predisposes them to various disease and infections. Child labour is one of the oldest problems in our society and still an ongoing issue. To date, there is no international agreement to fully enforced child labour. This public health issue demands a multidisciplinary approach from the education of children and their families to development of comprehensive child labour laws and regulation. However, With the increase of education, economy and the emergence of labour laws, child labour decreased However, child labour is still a widespread problem in many parts of the world in developed and developing countries. The problem may lie in our society, but only global efforts can offer a solution.