The Scourge of Child Labor in India
Child labor is one of the most widespread issues in India. Child labor is an activity where children are engaged in an economic activity. In 1952, laws were passed in India to stop child labor and provide proper education to the children till the age of 18.(1) In 2012, a Government report stated that around four million children under the age of 18 work in India.(2) Not only are they physically and mentally tortured but also exploited by the people they are working for.
The article “The Scourge of Child Labor in India,” which was telecasted by the news channel “ABC News” is about a twelve year old boy named Pemba, who is forced to do one of the most dangerous jobs deep underground in a coal mine. There has been a history of earthquakes at that coalmine which has also caused the blockage of tunnels, thereby trapping a few workers. In the interview, Pemba stated that he has seen the roof collapse at times and when he was asked if he feared death, he simply said that as long as his God is with him, he doesn’t fear anything. Its because of the authorities in India that child labor still continues to take place because they are easily bribed which results in child exploitation. Pemba has never been to school and he does not want his brother to go through the same thing. He tells the interviewer that he earns six dollars a month making it possible for his younger brother to go to school.
Even though Pemba is not happy with the life he leads, he is still satisfied that he can help his younger brother out and give him a better life. As long as the corruption doesn’t stop, the problem of child labor will never end.(3)
(1) Child labor, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_labour_in_India
(2) “2012 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor,” ILAB: United States Department of Labor, http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/india.htm
(3) “The Scourge of Child Labor in India,” ABC News, http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/scourge-child-labor-india-19423695
Medium: Acrylic and spray paint on canvas
