The challenge of child labor
The challenge of child labor is prevalent and has been a source of concern in recent years. Globally, more than 170 million children get their fundamental rights infringed by not being allowed to get appropriate education, play, and health. In effect, they may be subjected to violence and predisposes to a continued cycle of poverty. Child labour is exhibited in different and complex ways. child labor is a form of exploitation whereby one party gains from onther in an unfair manner making the exploited person suffering harm.
Some scholars have suggested that some children’s contributions may not be categorized as exploitative since some duties may be safe and age appropriate and constitutes essential cultural practices.
There is concern regarding the poverty levels which child labour, and forced lablour in garment supply chain. Fashion industry has been characterized by overproduction and overconsumption which sgtems form the disregard of globalization initiatives. Forced labour and child labour . united kingdom has been said to the top in purchase of garment in Europe, a factor that
fuels labour requirements. Moreover about 300000 tonnes of garment wastes most of which ends up in landfills, a factor that raises environmental protection issues. A paltry 1% of the fabric for cloth preparation is used recycled into new materials for cloth making.
Child labour is rampant in cotton production. Cotton is one of the crops that is produced in great quantity worldwide and covers over 2.5% of arable land being grown in diverse climes and social settings. About 75 nations cultivate cotton globally anf for many producers, cotton is major foreign exchange earner boosting their gross domestic product. Moreover cotton farming provides a source of livelihood to millions of individuals in its line of productions and processing. Cotton farming is characterized by high labour requirements which attracts child labour such as seasonal under age harvest activities and trafficked laour. Child labour entails increased number of cases where children are made to work in hazardous environment such as in spraying of pesticides and working with equipment that pose danger (Humphries, J., 2013.).
Studies have indicated that when corporations take CSR initiatives such as being honest particularly in addressing in matters regarding child labor and forced labor, CS is significantly enhanced (Öberseder, Schlegelmilch, and Murphy, 2013). Ethical evaluations depend on the apliactions of norms and outcomes which in turn points to the obedience to the law. Individuals should not act in a discriminatory manner that may cause harm to humanity (Brunk, 2012, 556).