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| Sunday, 4 December 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Child domestics, a growing problem Child labour is usually not included in paediatric textbooks as a form of child abuse, but is now increasingly recognised as a form of child abuse. Industrial exploitation of children is not a problem in Sri Lanka as compared to other countries in the region. However, domestic employment of children is a major problem, and many Sri Lankans are guilty of having had child servants. With the recent trend of poor women seeking employment in the Middle East as housemaids, the demand for high wages, and the problem of feeding an adult, the local population finds it difficult to recruit household help. This probably has contributed to an increase in the domestic employment of children, who are paid low salaries, if any, and who demand less in terms of food and basic human rights. The refugee situation of all communities in the war affected zones, especially the East, also compounds this problem. Most of these children are physically abused, in addition to being forced to perform hard physical labour. They are often sexually abused and almost always emotionally abused, through denigration (belittling). In addition, many of these children are deprived of schooling and nutrition as well. How grave is this problem? A study we conducted of almost 700 households in urban areas in the South indicates that one in 12 houses has a child servant, and one third of the domestic labour force consisted of children (de Silva. 1997). This is a bigger problem in the tea estate areas where children comprise as much as 44 per cent of the domestic labour force. Professionals, including doctors, businessmen and landowners were the main perpetrators. A follow-up study showed that most of these children are from tea estate labour families, who migrate from estate to estate, rather than those in estates with proper facilities (de Silva. 1997). To solve this problem, the broader primary issues of economic problems have to be addressed. Action is now being taken to change the Women and Children's Employment Act, to strengthen the law, to deter employers. Violence at home Children may grow up believing that shouting, using bad language, threats or actual physical violence is the best way of sorting out problems. Sometimes they may also pick up these ideas in a violent community or from television. It is also important to understand that violence in a community including alcohol and drug use also has an effect on family violence. Research has shown that a child or even an adult is more likely to suffer harm - physical, emotional or sexual - in one's own home than outside. Such incidents are more likely to be 'hushed up' for the sake of family honour, rather than for the 'best interests' of the victim, most often a child. It can be so rooted in the value systems of society and often justified. - Prof. D. G. Harendra de Silva, former Chairman National Child protection Authority |
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