Why Is Child Labor in Factories Such a Bad Idea?
Child labor in factories is prevalent around the world, but in India and Bangladesh, it is a primary concern in the fight against child exploitation.
Garment factories are a major culprit of child labor. Children are used in all levels of the garment-making process—from pollinating cotton plants and harvesting them to the packing of the finished garments. All through the process, children are exploited.
Frequently, parents send their child or children to work in the factories because they have been deceived with false promises of education, three meals a day and a good wage for those children. In reality, the working conditions in these factories are dangerous and the pay is meager.
Cotton farms and factories are often unsafe places for children, and the environments are often full of chemicals and harmful pesticides. Children are often utilized for their small hands, which enable them to work on small items with great efficiency. For example, a child’s hands can harvest cotton without damaging the crop.
The garment and fashion industries aim to be fast and cheap in their production. Children require less pay, so it is advantageous for companies to hire them. When companies are expected to put out new lines quickly, the industry moves quickly. From the company’s perspective, for economic reasons, child labor is a favorable option.
GFA World is actively providing positive alternatives for impoverished families who may resort to child labor just to provide for the family’s basic needs through its child sponsorship program. Families in the sponsorship program receive practical help, which relieves financial pressure and enables them to send their children to school. They may receive academic help, clean water, nutritious food, school supplies, health check-ups and more. Parents may also receive vocational skills training or income-generating gifts that empower them to better provide for their families.
As children experience holistic growth through the sponsorship program, they gain a vision for a life away from cheap labor in the factories—and they are equipped to fulfill their goals and dreams. One of those dreams is often to remain in school, gaining an education that empowers them to break the cycle of poverty.
Will you join us in providing these helpful resources to families in Asia and Africa?
