Expert: Andrew Reich - 5/19/2010

Question
Hello I am a sixth grader in Newton, MA at Oak hill middle school. My class is doing topics in Asia and I chose mine about child labor. I am trying to find out progress and problems about child labor in China. So I have a few questions hopefully you could answer. The first question is could child labor be not so bad where the conditions aren't so bad or is child labor not that bad in general. Second how does economy and education play roles in child labor. Please message me back answering my questions. Thank you

Answer
Hi Daniel!  You sound like one smart 6th grader!  Maybe when you're in college you'd like to come do an internship at my firm in China?  Contact me again when the time comes!  In regard to your questions:  1. You should note that the term "Child Labor" is subjective to the local law.  So, for example, the law in one country ("Country A") may state that the lowest possible age for employment is 13, where in the USA it may be 14 (I am not sure of the actual law, i am just making an example).  So, although there may be some people who are 13 years old working in factories in Country A, it is disputable if people in the USA should consider this "Child Labor" as it in fact is complying with local laws.  2. You make a great point in your comment - YES, the conditions in some countries are terrible.  Envision children who are 9 years old who have nothing to eat and live in dirt floor hut.  There are no available schools for them to attend.  What I am describing is the very worst case scenario, but you should understand that the world includes living scenarios from everything as bad as I am describing, to the privileged life that many of us live in the USA.  There are many cases where children and/or their parents must make decisions such as: 1. Die starving in the dirt floor hut OR 2. Work in the fields growing crops for the equivalent of 0.20-1.00 USD per day OR 3. Work in a factory for 2 USD per day - What decision would you make with these choices?  3.  How does economy and education play a role - These factors play a direct role in the existence of child labor in a country.  No country wants their children working instead of going to school.  This situation is a direct result of a lack of economy and education infrastructure (or one that is in development).

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.  You can email me at areich@intouchquality.com.  For more information about me you can see our company site at www.intouchquality.com and/or my blog: www.qualitywars.com.

Good Luck!
Andrew