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| Sunday, 6 November 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Child labourers, the hidden problem Twelve year old Mala works as a domestic servant for Mrs. Perera, who also has a daughter of Mala's age. But sadly, Mrs. Perera never thinks of Mala as a daughter! Mala is the only domestic servant at Mrs. Perera's house, and she has to perform all the duties like cooking, cleaning, tending to the laundry and going to the boutique. Mrs. Perera however speaks as if Mala is having a wonderful time. If she sees Mala relaxing, even for a moment, from her work, she would say, "Those who once fed on dirt now live in the lap of luxury. This is simply unacceptable. I will give you a good beating today!" With these words, Mrs. Perera starts beating up poor Mala. Mala cries in pain and tears roll down her cheeks. But the beating never stops. She thinks "my back still stings from 'Missy's' blows. What wrong have I done to be punished like this? My mother never beat me like this. "I remember the day they brought me to Colombo. They promised that I would be sent to school. Back then, the thought of going to school used to fill my heart with joy. New friends, new books, a nice schoolbag....a good education. But what am I now? I slave away from morning till night. My hands are now weak and dirty. I wonder if I will ever be able to hold a pencil in these hands again!" Child abuse in Sri Lanka Many children work as labourers in large factories in South Asia. But in Sri Lanka, children are mostly used as domestic servants. This is because children are less expensive and require only a little food and wages. Only a little money needs to be spent to maintain them. Children are also less demanding about wages, food and working conditions. Many children however are abused after they become domestic servants. The physical and mental needs of these children are often neglected. Nutritious meals and proper schooling are often not provided for them. What is child labour? If you are below the age of 18 years, then you are a child. If a person below the age of 14 years is forced to work and is over-exploited for commercial purposes, then that amounts to child labour. Obtaining the labour of a child in this manner is prohibited by law. It is the responsibility of the government to protect its children from economic exploitation and from performing high risk work. The government must also protect its children from all acts detrimental(harmful) to their physical, mental, spiritual and ethical well-being. Why children work? 1. poverty 2. family unable to maintain a large number of children 3. desertion (abandoning) by parents 4. disintegration (break up) of family 5. war and displacement 6. lack of social support 7. health problems 8. weakening of the child-parentbond 9. slave trade 10. used as object to repay debt 11. migration Courtesy: National Child Protection Authority |
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