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International Child Labor and Stolen Dreams
"Children around the world are working long days in the harsh sun without water, shoes, breaks, or food. Many live in bonded labor, forced to work until a parent's debt is paid," says Ann Backus, instructor for the Occupational Health Program in the Department of Environmental Health. "Child labor reform has to spread throughout the world or kids will continue working in jobs that limit their physical and psychosocial development."
Backus, collaborating with the Harvard Center for Children's Health, has developed a series of presentations, accompanied by the opening of a photographic exhibit, Stolen Dreams by David Parker, an occupational health physician. In this exhibit, black and white photographs display the extreme working conditions that, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), are part of the lives of 120 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 working in developing countries. The number of working children increases to 250 million if part-time work is considered.
A young construction worker in Kathmandu, Nepal. The photo is part of
David Parker's Stolen Dreams collection. Additional images from
the collection can be viewed on the World Wide Web at www.hsph.harvard.edu/gallery
Formal child labor regulations do not exist in many countries; however, some developing countries are beginning to adopt policies and regulations in response to the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC). Created by the ILO in 1992, IPEC is based on a convention that calls for an end to abusive work environments for children. In June 1999, the Convention to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor was introduced by the ILO in Geneva. This convention specifies elimination of child slavery, prostitution, the employment of children in drug trafficking, and the exposure of children to work that is hazardous to their health and safety.
"In some countries where a child's income is needed for family subsistence," Backus says, "the cultural, socio-economic, and political infrastructure might not support alternatives for children, such as schooling instead of working." In developing countries such as India, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Nepal, children often work in agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying. Most laborers are in small workshops, home-based operations, or other informal settings not covered by laws. "Meanwhile, kids are exposed to dyes, pesticides, and chemicals like asbestos and mercury," says Backus.
Other safety problems range from a lack of protective clothing, goggles, or earplugs, to the lack of food and water during long days without breaks. "Children experience adult stresses and adult illnesses," says Backus. "For example, a seven-year old rugworker has arthritis due to hours of tying intricate knots." Children are used because their small size allows them to reach difficult areas. They are exploited for their compliance. They are left vulnerable to accidents, and they are subjected to dangers that create long-term damage and disability, all of which continue the cycle of poverty for future adults.
"There are a lot of changes that should happen in child labor practices," says Backus. "The age for compulsory education needs to be raised, but first we need to provide schools and teachers. A living wage for adults and parents should be structured. Regulations on hazardous work ought to be consistent, enforced, and supported by developed countries."
On September 30, faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the afternoon presentation at 2:30 p.m. in Snyder Auditorium. Topics include children's health and education, the rights of children, and a report on a school being built in Pakistan with the help of American middle school children. Photographer Parker will present a slide discussion of Stolen Dreams, and a reception follows.
