Child Labor: Home

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Child Labor in China

China’s child labor is a huge problem, and there is clear evidence that child labor is increasing in China. Although there is no official figure on the number of children working in China, it is estimated by many that of the 10 million children out of school, over 5 million are working in factories. There are some who even consider this a conservative estimate. It was reported in Sichuan, China’s most populated province, that 85% of children who drop out of school are working elsewhere. Even in some less populated rural provinces, over 20% of the work force is made up of children. Also, in the last few years, the rate of children kidnapped has increased rapidly. It is believed that the children kidnapped are sold off to factories to work. For example, in 1994, about 48 Chinese brick-shop-workers kidnapped over 100 children. It is known that fourty of those children were forced to work 10 hours a day, but with no wage whatsoever. China’s child labor cannot be overlooked.

Child Labor in Russia

Russia’s laws for childhood employment are very specific. The Labor Code prohibits employment of any children under the age of 16. Any positions that would require an employee to work nights or overtime cannot be filled by anybody under the age of 18. Under certain specific conditions with parental approval, a child may work as soon as age 14. Forced or bonded labor by children is prohibited. Many children are involved in illegal drug sales. In some places, children will be given drugs so that they will follow any directions they are given.&nb! sp; Some children are forced to work more hours than the legal limit.

Child Labor in Indonesia

Child labor in Indonesia is a problem that is continually growing. Many children work on jermals. Jermals are large fishing boats. Most of the workers on the boats are children. Few are adults. Some of the children work in the fish factories a few miles from the shore of Indonesia. The tasks involved include catching, sorting, and boiling fish. During the twelve hours a day that most of the workers work through, they haul gigantic nets onto the boat. The work is torturous.

The working conditions are terrible. Not only are their daytime hours tough, but also they sleep in rusty and dirty shacks. The workplace is filthy, dangerous, and filled with the stench of fish. Some people’s fingernails fall off. Some suffer from stings attained from jellyfish or sea snakes caught in the nets. Many workers get injured, but the only relief they get is from aspirin and bandages. Although the workers labor for twelve hours a day, in one month, they may be paid a meager nine dollars. Working on a jermals is difficult and often painful.