Child Labor

For and against child Labor

Introduction: Child labor is a controversial issue in the present worked. There is much debate in whether children should be used in paid work.

Bangladesh perspective: It is estimated that, in Bangladesh, about 7.5 million children between the ages of 9 to 14 years are engaged in paid work. Most of them are engaged in hazardous work that may cause permanent harm to their body and mind.

Arguments in Favor o child Labor: Some people prefer to engage their children in work. Those who advocate child labor reason that professional work will make their children responsible. They will be able to bring the most needed extra income for their poor families. Besides, being engaged in work from an early age they will acquire experience and professional skill quickly. When the other children start work after completing their studies, the working children will already be skilled and be able to demand higher salary.

Arguments Against Child Lobour: There are certain arguments against child labour. Child age is the time to acquire knowledge. Without education, a child cannot get proficiency in work or reach a high position in the organization. He always remains confined to lower level positions only. Besides, children are not physically and mentally prepared to engage in professional work. Such engagement in work hinders the proper physical and mental growth of children.  Exposure to hardship at such early age destroys their faith and compassion to humankind. They get hardened mentally and do not have any scruple against doing any criminal or heinous act. In developing countries, we find many child laborers get involved in criminal activities. It should also be remembered that children are vulnerable. They cannot protect themselves from danger. As a result, taskmasters make them do extra work. They are also made to get involved in many criminal activities such as smuggling, carrying arms and drug trafficking.

Conclusion: Child age is the age of learning. All children should go to school and get education. Most of the children who are engaged n work are very poor. In Bangladesh, we see that many people do not have any regular employment. They cannot earn their livelihood, live in slums and remain half-fed and even starve. For such people there is no other alternative than to send their children to work as they cannot provide a standard life for their children. The position of those who are against child labor is certainly right. Child age is the age to learn. Only we have to make conducive environment for their learning by helping the children and their families.