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(Source: China Labour Bulletin)
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While children all over the world are busy setting up their
Christmas trees, others are slaving away their time by mining or working long
hours in factories. Did you know that in 2012, the International
Labour Organisation (ILO) reported that Asia and the Pacific still has the
largest numbers of children in child labour? Almost 78 million of the child
population. Not only does child labour steals the childhood of an innocent
child, it affects their physical health and prevents them from being further
educated.
How many of us actually stop to think of the unfortunate
children who do not get to celebrate Christmas in a comfortable home with their
loved ones when we open our presents under that tree? Though child labour is
not one of the most talked about topic in Singapore, I believe that child
labour is one of the topics that should be acknowledged because of the morals
and agendas behind it. It reflects a lot on us as human beings if we are
ignorant of child labour or if we allow child labour to continue around the
world. Sadly, in our culture, we are brought up in a way that our minds are
sheltered from these topics.
Culture is also another reason why child labour is so hard
to get rid of in third world countries. Countries such as Nepal and Nigeria
lack proper medical attention and food. Sometimes, these children are sent to
work in exchange for money to aid their parents with medical attention. We are
lucky that the government subsidies our healthcare fees in Singapore as
compared to Third World Countries.
Much has been done by the different organisations to fight
against child labour. International Programme on the Elimination of Child
Labour (IPEC) whose overall goal is to eliminate of child labour through
strengthening the capacity of countries to deal with the problem. Eventually,
eliminating child labour starts within you. “A world without child labour is
possible with the right priorities and policies: quality education,
opportunities for young people, decent work for parents, a basic social
protection floor for all.”- Juan Somavia, ILO Director-General.
Stop child labour now by reporting child exploitation
activities at (65) 6317 1111 or email mom_oshd@mom.gov.sg.
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