Poor Quality of Education Turns Students Into Laborers

Jessica Otey/February 4, 2008/8:56 pm/Labor Problems

Child labor has been a growing problem in Lebanon over the past couple of decades. It is estimated that there are at least 100,000 children employed within the country. This means that about one in ten children between the ages of 10 and 18 work full time instead of attending school. In most cases these children and teenagers work 10 hours a day, 6 days a week and earn as little as ten dollars a week.

A lot of these child laborers are exposed to harsh chemicals such as pesticides which have damaging effects on their neurological development. They are also commonly employed in mechanic shops, carpentry, jewelry shops, farms and marble cutting factories where they face many dangerous conditions and usually lack protective equipment.

Many of the children who are working in Lebanon do so to help support their families. Almost all of the children and teens employed come from underprivileged neighborhoods and schools. They believe that working is their only way to afford a better life.

Currently, Lebanon is doing nothing to combat the child labor problem. Their legislation is currently ineffective and lack of public awareness does not help the cause either.

Reading stories like this makes me feel so blessed to be in America. Most of the time I take for granted my education and the job that I possess. It’s definitely an eye opener to read about other countries that do not have the opportunities that a lot of Americans take for granted. I really hope that countries like Lebanon will start trying to eliminate child labor and other horrible labor conditions.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=88698