PAMPANGA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

MAGALANG, PAMPANGA

POSITION PAPER
GROUP 3
BSABE 2-B
TITLE; “BREAKING CHAINS; Unveiling the harsh reality of child
Labor in the Philippines”.
TOPIC; CHILD LABOR
ISSUE;
Child labor remains a pressing global issue, tarnishing the fabric of our
societies. This position paper strongly opposes the practice, highlighting its
detrimental effects on children’s well-being, education, and future prospects.
CLAIM;
This cycle must end. it is detrimental to a country's development, affecting the
well-being of its children, hindering economic progress, and tarnishing its global
standing. Eradicating child labor is not only a moral imperative but also a crucial
step toward building a sustainable, prosperous future.

COUNTRY: Philippines

DELEGATES; Mary Ann A. Ros

Mariella G. Pascual
Princess M. Magtoto
Jenica A. Torres
Trizie T. Torres
Chinsher Manabat
 A child’s only responsibility is to learn all about the world and fully develop. Children
should go to school, learn from his or her teacher, play with other kids, and enjoy his or her
childhood. But many children are not doing these things because of the unfairness of the world
and the people around them. And most of them are being forced to do that adults should be
doing.

It is very unfair to them that they are forced to carry such responsibility for their
family’s needs to survive when they should be enjoying while discovering themselves. In the
Philippines, this is one of the biggest problems wherein many children are forced to work at a
young age which is called child labor.

Child labor refers to the employment of children in any work that deprives them of their
childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and that is mentally, physically,
socially or morally dangerous and harmful. In villages, it is a common sight to see children of
poor families working in fields or elsewhere to contribute to the family income. Such children
are deprived of opportunities of education and are also prone to health risks. In a sense, child
labor is open exploitation as it deprives children of education and pushes them into exploitative
situations.

Because of these, children did not have the opportunity to attend school, most of them
are often forced to work long hours with just a few breaks instead of learning and growing. This
makes them uneducated of the things they can actually acquire in the future. They are thought to
be focused on what they have and not being able to dream. Most of them are even supervised by
abusive adults, and some of them can’t even receive the right pay for their work. And all of these
things can affect their development as a person. It affects their well-being for they are not guided
and unable to receive the proper care from their parents making them closer to experiencing
poverty than contributing for sustainable development of our country.

Child labor, a deeply entrenched issue, continues to persist in various parts of the world
despite widespread condemnation. This position paper delves into the multifaceted aspects of
child labor, examining its historical roots, the underlying causes, and the ethical, social, and
economic implications. By understanding the complexities surrounding child labor, we can better
advocate for meaningful change and the eradication of this harmful practice.
 Child labor refers to work performed by children younger than 15, or 14 in some
developing countries, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO). Child labor
harms a child’s social and mental development, reduces their ability to enjoy childhood, and
limits educational opportunities. Without an education, children grow up without the skills they
need to secure employment, making it more likely that they’ll send their own children to work
someday.

The term “child labor” is often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood,
their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development and/or in
no way can such activities be equated with child labor. Child labor refers to work that is
mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children; and interferes with
their schooling:

- by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school;

- by obliging them to leave school prematurely; or

- by requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy
work.

Child labor is detrimental to a country for various reasons:

1. Human Rights Violation: Child labor infringes upon the basic human rights of children. It
deprives them of a proper childhood, denying them the opportunity to play, learn, and grow in a
nurturing environment.

2. Education Deprivation: Engaging in labor often means that children are unable to attend
school regularly. This lack of education perpetuates a cycle of poverty, limiting their future
opportunities and hindering the overall development of the nation's human capital.

3. Health and Well-being: Child labor exposes children to hazardous conditions that can have
severe consequences for their physical and mental health. Long hours, exposure to dangerous
substances, and strenuous work contribute to health issues that can affect them throughout their
lives.

4. Interferes with Skill Development: While some argue that work can contribute to skill
development, exploitative child labor often involves tasks that do not enhance a child's abilities.
Instead, it confines them to repetitive, low-skill tasks, limiting their potential for future career
growth.

5. Cycle of Poverty: Child labor is often rooted in poverty, but it also perpetuates it. Without
access to education and the opportunity to develop skills, children are more likely to remain
trapped in a cycle of poverty, unable to break free and contribute meaningfully to their country's
economic development.

6. Undermines Future Workforce: A nation's future workforce is compromised when children are
engaged in labor instead of receiving proper education. This hinders the development of a
skilled, knowledgeable, and innovative workforce essential for economic growth and
competitiveness in the global market.

7. Negative Economic Impact: In the long run, relying on child labor can have negative
economic repercussions. A poorly educated and unhealthy workforce is less productive,
hindering a country's ability to compete in industries that require skilled and knowledgeable
workers.

8. Global Reputation: Countries allowing widespread child labor often face international
criticism, affecting their global reputation. This can lead to economic consequences such as trade
restrictions and reduced foreign investment, as the international community increasingly values
ethical and responsible business practices.

9. Long-term Social Consequences: Child labor contributes to the perpetuation of social

inequalities. It often affects marginalized communities disproportionately, exacerbating existing
disparities and hindering social progress.

10. Legal and Ethical Implications: Engaging children in labor goes against international labor
standards and ethical principles. Countries that tolerate or overlook child labor may face legal
consequences and find themselves excluded from international agreements and collaborations
aimed at promoting huma

As of 2011, more than 5 million children aged 5 to 17 are already in the labor force,
according to a survey conducted by the National Statistics Office and International Labor
Organization. More than 50 percent (3.2 million) of them are exposed to hazardous labor in
agricultural, services, and industrial sectors (Reyes et al. 2014). Based on the same report, the
number of working children increased by 53 percent (1.9 million) between 1995 and 2011. While
child labor exists in all regions of the Philippines, the highest proportion of child labor was
recorded in Northern Mindanao--with three in every ten children, aged 5 to 17, already working.
Moreover, Reyes et al. (2014) noted that there are more boys engaged in child labor that girls.

According to Sta. Maria et al. (2001), internal trafficking, wherein trading and
exploitation of victims are done within the country, may be considered as a major factor why
children are exposed to the worst forms of child labor. For these children, working in agriculture,
mining and quarrying, construction, and transportation industries poses danger and consequences
that may affect their health and well-being.

For instance, in the agricultural regions of the country, children who work for farms and
plantations are exposed to threats such as snake bites, accidents, and energy-draining chores.
These children earn not more than PHP 50-60 a day, with no benefits (Rollolazo and Logan
2002).

Esguerra (2002) analyzed what causes child labor in the Philippines. Based on his study,
financial constraints, inability to fulfill primary needs due to family size, and availability of child
work are the three main reasons that influence a household’s decision to allow a child to work.
External factors, such as socioeconomic development, geographic location, and level of
government expenditures on social services, also affects decision making in these household. To
address this issue, Esguerra (2002) suggested a two-pronged approach that involves (1) poverty
reduction, development of the country’s economic growth, and extension of permanent job
availability, and (2) an intervention to deal with other forms of child labor.

In another study, Aldaba et al. (2004) suggested that effective policies, institutional
reforms, and collaborations with international organizations should be strengthened to enhance
the policies and campaigns against child labor. Improving education, raising awareness, and
reinforcing anti-poverty actions, meanwhile, are some of the key solutions that Marcus and
Harper (1997) recommended.

Intensifying the implementation of laws and policies should also be prioritized to curb the
number of children involved in child labor. These policies include, among others, the Labor Code
of the Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment Order No. 4 (Hazardous Work and
Activities to Persons Below 18 Years of Age), and Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of
Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) (Aldaba et al. 2004).

Aside from child labor, the SERP-P database also showcases studies that explore the
worst forms of child labor in Negros Oriental (Oracion, 2005), women and children trafficking at
the Manila Port (Pacis 2001), laws protecting child workers (Ateneo Human Rights Center
1997), youth employment in the Philippines (Tidalgo and Teodosio 1981), and improving labor
standards in the Philippines (Villamil 2002).

Child labor not only happens in the Philippines. In-fact various international conventions
like united nation set some projects for this issue.

1. Violation of Rights: Child labor violates various international conventions and declarations.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) explicitly outlines the
rights of children, emphasizing education, health, and protection from exploitation. Article 32 of
the UNCRC specifically addresses child labor, emphasizing the right of children to be protected
from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to
interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental,
spiritual, moral, or social development.

2. Stifling Development: The impediment of a child's holistic development due to labor is well-
documented. Organizations like UNICEF highlight how child labor deprives children of the
opportunity to receive a proper education, engage in social activities, and experience a childhood
free from the pressures of work. This hampers their cognitive development, emotional well-
being, and social integration, affecting their long-term prospects and capabilities.

3. Health and Safety Risks: Various reports from organizations such as the International Labor
Organization (ILO) and UNICEF illustrate the hazardous conditions in which many children
laborers work. These conditions often lead to physical injuries, exposure to harmful substances,
and long-term health issues. The "World Report on Child Labor" by the ILO sheds light on the
prevalence of children working in industries such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing,
exposing them to dangerous working environments.
4. Perpetuating Poverty: The link between poverty and child labor is evident. Studies from
organizations like the World Bank and UNICEF showcase how poverty drives families to send
their children to work as a means of supplementing household income. However, this perpetuates
a cycle of poverty as lack of access to education limits these children's opportunities for upward
social mobility. The World Bank's research on poverty and child labor highlights this cyclical
relationship between poverty and the inability to break out of it due to the absence of education
and skills.

Seeing that, other countries like in India, set their law to help children fight against this
unequal treatment. According to Article 23 of the Indian Constitution any type of forced labor is
prohibited. Article 24 states that a child under 14 years cannot be employed to perform any
hazardous work. Similarly, Article 39 states that “the health and strength of workers, men and
women, and the tender age of children are not abused”.

In the same manner, Child Labor Act (Prohibition and Regulation) 1986 prohibits
children under the age of 14 years to be working in hazardous industries and processes. Child
Labor (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act 2016 prohibits the employment of Children
below 14 years in all employment and with the provisions for prohibition on employment of
adolescents (14-18 Years) in the scheduled hazardous occupations and processes.

We disagree because Child labor infringes upon children’s basic rights to education,
play, and a nurturing environment. It denies them the chance to develop holistically, hindering
their potential to become well-rounded individuals. The physical and mental toll on child
laborers is substantial. Long hours in hazardous conditions jeopardize their health, stunting
growth and causing irreversible damage.

This exploitation leaves scars that persist into adulthood. Child labor disrupts
educational opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. Denying children access to quality
education limits their ability to break free from the socio-economic constraints that led to child
labor in the first place. Children engaged in labor are often subjected to exploitation and abuse.
They are vulnerable to mistreatment and manipulation, lacking the means to defend themselves
against unscrupulous employers.
 And for us, this is not something we can take lightly. It is not right for us to abuse such
innocent children. What is needed now is ACTION! Children should be protected from all forms
of physical, mental, injury violence, negligent, maltreatment exploitation. The right of every
child to a standard of living adequate for the child. From economic exploitation and from
performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education, or to
be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.

Being a parent never meant owning your children and making them do the things that
grownups should do. Even so, it is never their responsibility to make a living because the parent
should be capable of giving sustainable life for their children when she/he gave birth to them in
the first place. But I think irresponsible parents are not the only one to blame, but also those
heartless people who makes children work instead of gaining for their own needs.

Every child has the right to have education. The education of the child shall be directed to
the promotion and development, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest
potential. Every child shall be protected from all forms of economic exploitation and from
performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or effect the child’s physical, mental and
social.
From compromised education to physical and mental health risks, it is evident that
allowing children to engage in labor hampers their overall well-being and future prospects.
Addressing this issue requires concerted efforts from governments, communities, and
international organizations to ensure the protection and rights of every child, fostering a world
where they can grow and thrive without being exploited in the labor force.

Children should grow up in a healthy and progressive life without mental stress and
trauma for them to learn how to dream, hope and be a responsible human being in the future. For
them to gain these, it takes a lot of love, attention and guidance so that, in the future they will
also teach future children how to be a good person for the economy and as a person.
 References

https://www.unicef.org/protection/child-labour.

https://www.ilo.org/manila/areasofwork/child-labour/lang--en/index.htm.

, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6459361/.

https://vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/women-and-child-development/child-development-1/

resources-on-safe-childhood-for-panchayat-members/child-labour.

https://www.ilo.org/ipec/lang--en/index.htm.

https://psa.gov.ph/content/annual-poverty-indicators-survey-apis.

https://serp-p.pids.gov.ph/feature/public/index-view?feauredtype_id=1.

https://www.ipl.org/essay/Conclusion-On-Child-Labour-F3AZXJA36J486.