Bonded Child Labor

Child Labor is a practice shunned by many in the world, but is justified by others because many families living in poverty simply cannot survive on the income of the parents alone. But bonded child labor, which often involves parents ‘selling’ their children to work in factories and farms, cannot be justified and those involved should be handed out severe punishments. Bonded labor is a practice very common throughout the world, primarily in South Asia. Many people do not realize that often times, this is also a form of slavery. Though many cultures find this acceptable, in many cases, the debtors are treated poorly and are ‘owned’ by the people they owe money to. Often times, bonded child labor is a result of children being born into debt, as many families have been in debt for generations. Creditors, in an effort to keep the families enslaved, offer high interest loans, and pay meager wages, so even after a few generations, families still remain in debt. Often times, children as young as six are forced to work alongside their parents.

Bonded child labor has always been a problem in India. In the past, the caste system allowed members of higher castes to practically enslave Dalits (the lowest caste) and their children. The caste system has since been banned, but most Dalits still live in poverty and are bonded laborers. Their children are often born into debt, making them bonded laborers as well. Many parents sell their children in hope of paying back some of their debt. Most of the time, the price of the child is not enough to buy the family out of debt, and the family remains in debt. The children are subject to terrible conditions, barely given enough food to eat, and regularly forced to sleep on the floor.

Though there were several laws passed in India banning child labor and bonded labor, they are very hard to implement. In rural India, money talks, and landlords and factory owners have great influence over government officials and law enforcement, making it nearly impossible for bonded child laborers to seek help. 

In the early 90’s, Anti-Slavery International reported that there were 15 million bonded child laborers on India’s farms, and even more are working in other industries. This is an incredible number that needs to be reduced immediately. Several NGO’s are pressuring the government to take action, but since most local government officials are in the pockets of landlords and factory owners, little has been done to address the issue. By tackling corruption in rural towns, implementation of bonded labor laws will be much easier, and many children can be freed.

 

http://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/1996/India3.htm

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2005/the_hidden_factory_child_labou.html