Maliko, Chamara and Udara discuss causes of child labour ...
To all who read:
I do not feel that child labour is good, nor is it right, but it is
something that is inevitable. Of course we want all children to live in a happy
place with a loving family where they can enjoy the joys of childhood, but for
some people that just isn't possible. How can the family who cannot even afford
their next meal afford to give their children the choice of freedom from
labour? How can a family which may not even live in a proper house avoid
sending their children to work as they also work?
It is not such a simple problem as some may think because to solve the
problem of child labour we must first solve the problem of poverty which is one
a major problem in our world today. Poverty is not a problem that has a quick
fix. We cannot tell the 'relevant authorities' that there is a problem with
poverty in the world today and expect them to do something about it. What would
they do? What can they do?
While I do want to do something about the problem with child labour, we must
get to the root of the problem, because if we do not go to the root, we will
never succeed in fixing the problem that stems from it.
Maliko Ubl
International School Bangkok
Dear Maliko,
I read your mail and I agree with you. Every one will accept that poverty is the main reason for not only child labour but also for mal-nutrition , sex trade and even for some of the crimes which is committed by people. Your country, Thailand, and my country, Sri Lanka are both facing poverty and its results.
You have stated in your letter that the relevant authorities are unable to do something againt poverty. " We cannot tell the 'relevant authorities' that there is a problem with poverty in the world today and expect them to do something about it. What would they do? What can they do? " My dear friend, they can do something, but they are not willing to do so. Some politicians in third world countries are corrupt. Their intention is to make money using their powers (which the people granted).
We need a leader for every poor country who is willing to serve the people. In several countries we had such leaders before, but their governments were deposed by other super powers using many ways such as military coups etc.
My dear friend, their are no poor countries or rich countries. ( Their are developed and non developed ). There are only rich and poor. ( Even in the poorest countries, their are multi- millionaires and billionaires.)
There must be a way to take some of them from the rich and give it to poor. The poor have no other choice but to send their children to work. In Karnataka, India, the children are encouraged to work in the cotton factories because they have to be paid a little sum. The government seems to be inactive.
There are examples of some countries which have gained rapid growth throughout the history , under a solid leader. So, how can you say that the authorities can do nothing. If they can do nothing, what are they for ? Do you say that they are for wasting public money ?
This is what I have got to say. Please reply me back expressing your ideas and opinions. I think we can do something to fight against poverty, child labour etc.
With friendship,
Chamara
Hello Chamara,
Hi,This is Udara and I write this letter to say that I really agree with what you say. As I pointed out in my reply to Maliko, we must try to reduce the difference between the rich and the poor people. That might not be a problem a devoloped country have to face but countries like Sri Lanka sure has to face that.
I think most of the politicians in the third world countries are corrupt.As like you said, there should be a way how we can give money of the rich people to the poor. We must try to change this whole system of rich man ill-treating the poor man.
If you can, please write more article about Child Labour and also send your writings about child labour to iearn-projects.us.iearn.org address.
In Loving kindness,
Udara