Guest Photographer/Photojournalist: G.M.B. Akash — Child Labor

The Guest Photographer/Photojournalist section of Zoriah.net is designed to showcase the most important work of some of the world's most talented shooters.

 

 

 

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[Zoriah's Note:  As the first guest contributor to Zoriah.net, I would like to welcome G.M.B. Akash. He has been a friend for several years, is a wonderful person and continually produces some of the most poignant and stunning works of photojournalism in the industry. He is a master of his craft and has won more industry awards than just about anyone. His work not only highlights his technical skills but his humanitarian heart and will be a wonderful addition to this site. In between his posts on this blog I urge all of you to explore his website at gmb-akash.com and enjoy his extraordinary reportage. What follows are the words and images of G.M.B. Akash.]

To abolish child labour you have to make it visible.

 

For the last four years I have been working on child labor in Bangladesh.

Child labor has been forbidden in Bangladesh since 1992. In December 2005 I visited a garment factory in Narayanganj, which is the center of the garment industry in Bangladesh. I took a picture of the owner beating a 12-year-old boy because he had been too slow sewing t-shirts.

According to the U.N. Children’s Fund report, more than 6.3 million children under 14 are working in Bangladesh. Many of them work under very poor conditions; some of them even risk their life. Factory owners pay them about 400 to 700 taka (10 USD) a month, while an adult worker earns up to 5,000 taka per month.

It is widely known, yet for a long time nobody seemed to mind. With my work I want to confront the people with the problem of child labor and motivate the people who begin to think about it — in Bangladesh where children are employed and in the rich countries of the Western world where products are sold that have been produced by children.

My intention is not only to show the children at work as victims of bad bosses exploiting them, but I want to show the complexity of the situation: The parents who send their little boy to work in a factory because they are poor; the child who has to work to earn a living for the family; the boss of the factory who is being pushed by big garment companies to produce for less money; and the Western consumers as clients who buy cheap clothes.

I think it is impossible to abolish child labor completely in Bangladesh in a very short time, but I am sure it is possible to improve the working conditions for the children and to bring more from factory work into the schools. 

Jainal works in silver cooking pot factory. He is 11 years old. He has been working in this factory for three years. His work starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. For his work he gets 700 taka (10 USD) for a month. His parents are so poor that they can not afford to send him to school. According to the factory owner, the parents do not care for their children; they send their kids to work for money and allegedly don't feel sorry for these small kids. Dhaka 2008 

A young laborer making metal components at a factory. Dhaka.Bangladesh 

13-year-old Liyakot Ali works in a silver cooking pot factory in Old Dhaka. The children work 10 hour days in hazardous conditions, for a weekly wage of 200 taka (3 USD). Dhaka. Bangladesh. June 2008 

A child on the side of the road attempts to sell roses to passing commuters in cars and buses. Dhaka. 

7-year-old Jasmine collects rubbish from a steaming rubbish heap on a cold winter morning. She earns money to support her family by scavenging for items on the Kajla rubbish dump. It is one of three landfill sites in a city of 12 million people. Around 5,000 tons of garbage are dumped here each day and more than 1,000 people work among the rubbish, sorting through the waste and collecting items to sell to retailers for recycling.

Children at a brick factory in Fatullah. For each 1,000 bricks they carry, they earn the equivalent of 0.9 USD. 

A young girl working in a brick crushing factory in Dhaka.

Children at a brick factory in Fatullah. For each 1,000 bricks they carry, they earn the equivalent of 0.9 USD. 

Hands of 8-year-old Munna while working in a rickshaw parts making factory. He works 10 hours a day and gets 8 USD for a month. Dhaka 2007. 

Ten-year-old Shaifur working in a door lock factory in Old Dhaka. Unlike his colleague, Shaifur works without a mask. 

Eight-year-old Munna works in a rickshaw factory. He earns about 500 taka (7 USD) a month, working 10 hours a day. When the production often stops due to lack of electricity, he has time to play. Dhaka 2007 

Children are compelled to work for long working hours with inadequate or no rest period. Moreover, they are paid with minimum wages and enjoy no job security. Many people prefer to employ young boys to maximize services for those minimum wages. Dhaka 2006. 

Thirteen-year-old Islam works in a silver cooking pot factory. He has been working at the factory for the last two years, in hazardous conditions, where it is common practice for the factory owners to take on children as unpaid apprentices, only providing them with two meals a day. 

17.5 percent of children in the aged 5–15 are engaged in economic activities. Many of these children are engaged in various hazardous occupations in manufacturing factories. Dhaka 2006. 

Eight-year-old Razu works in a rickshaw factory. He earns about 500 taka (7 USD) a month, working 10 hours a day. When the production often stops due to lack of electricity, he has time to play. 

This has been part one of a two part story by G.M.B. Akash. Part two will be posted next week. My sincere thanks to Akash for his noble work and for joining the Zoriah.net blog. Please support Akash by visiting his sites and returning here to view his future stories.

All images in this series are copyright G.M.B. Akash and may not be used, reproduced or posted on other blogs without written permission from the artist.

Comments

[Michel de Groot]

Very sad but breathtakingly photographed. Thanks for sharing!

[Joannah]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Joannah

http://windscreensite.com

[from east]

Beautiful blog. A thing to note though
As harsh as these photos look, if they were not working they probably would be dead.

[Irene]

They would be dead but there should be more to life than just to live, quality of life.

[Wayne Pugh]

It's important to ask, "what is the next best alternative for these children?". People in America love to say "they SHOULD be in school, or they SHOULD be playing with their friends". But the harsh reality is that if many of these kids weren't working in factories, they would be digging through trash heaps for scrap metal (many do) and working as prostitutes. If not that, then starvation.

At least this way, they are learning a skill. If Americans weren't so protectionist with their wealth and industry, more factories would move abroad and the competition for workers would raise wages in these third world countries.

Rather than donating a dollar to someone in a foreign country (or perhaps, in addition to?) start supporting globalization and allowing domestic industry to move abroad. We can definitely live on a little less, and they could definitely live on a little more. Capitalism isn't a zero sum game. We'll all get ahead in the end when our fellow man in places like Bangladesh are as productive as we are.

We don't have a "right" to an ultra high standard of living. And if you feel you have a "responsibility" to help these people, let MORE factories go abroad. It's the fastest, long term way to help.

[Marc M]

"If they were not working they would probably be dead"

That reminds me of the slogan over the gate at Auschwitz: "ARBEIT MACHT FREI" (work makes one free).

http://history1900s.about.com/library/holocaust/blarbeit.htm

Your employees must love you.

[Wayne Pugh]

Mark,

There is a huge difference between factories in poor countries and Auschwitz. People voluntarily work at these factories. In fact, when new ones open up, people struggle to get a job in one. That's the case because their alternatives are so terrible.

You can not compare someplace people fight to get in, with someplace people fight to get out.

[Deutscheland]

That reminds me of the slogan over the gate at Auschwitz: "ARBEIT MACHT FREI" (work makes one free).

So what?
Your political correctness won't change anything. It just makes you feel good, so you won't feel the need to acually do something at all...

[Anna]

The question is: What could we do to stop that?

If you look into the past, the slavery in US was largely due to big demand for cotton and the fact that it was cheaper to produce it that way than any other way. Now, there is big demand for everything: clothes, electronic toys, food, whatever. There are those who will pay and there is a workforce which does not demand a reasonable wage. Two things are theoretically possible: either those who pay won't pay or those who work won't work. Is it doable? I wonder. The Western world is currently too much inclined to consume, consume and overconsume and give away as little as possible. We've already had a crisis as a result of such philosophy, and may be it's not an end.

I am convinced that the problem must be solved where it starts: in all those places where there are people with no access to the way of life suitable for a human: clean water, enough food, school for kids and work for parents. As long as these places exist, we will never stop having problems on the Earth, I am afraid.

[Miya]

@Wayne Pugh "At least this way, they are learning a skill. If Americans weren't so protectionist with their wealth and industry, more factories would move abroad and the competition for workers would raise wages in these third world countries."

America is THE most giving nation on Earth. There comes a point where you can stop blaming the US for ever tear in a child's eye and start putting the onus on some of the other countries of the world who product mass amounts of money.

[Tony]

The children don't volunteer themselves. Countries like Bangladesh remain in a developing country status because of the inability to achieve any economic growth. Poverty is widespread. When you argue for more factories from developed countries to go abroad or that these jobs exists to "help" an otherwise fatal situation, that is just false. Developed nations and some developing nations have and more importantly control the bulk of the resources. When we outsource jobs in the processing of raw goods and suppress them from developing any goods themselves as a country through the use of tariffs and international trade laws, the root of their poverty stricken economy is apparent. Don't forget the developed nations initially prospered under protectionist policies. And yet we don't allow others to? And then say eventually "globalization" will aid them in the long-run? I'm sorry, but that's complete and utter BS.

Another situation where people rather address the symptoms than the problem.

[Brian]

I think a pragmatic solution would to be to make it a nationwide law that, since these children work 9-10 hour days, make them stay an additional two and get some sort of formal education. In fact, turn these factories into makeshift educational dormitories. These factories are not going to stop overnight due to western outrage. Even if they did, what will these children do, how will they eat? Western sympathy and dollars can only go so far.

Welcome to the world of the poor, it's crowded and dirty.

[Erica]

Really very frightening. These images bring tears to my eyes.

[Pat]

This might sound bad, but many of these kids are gaining real-world work experience that's much more valuable than the theoretical bullshit that's shoved down kids throats in schools and universities.

Teach them to read, and give them some leadership training, and they will kick some serious ass over our pussified kids.

[Steve]

It feels dishonest to measure their pay in US Dollars. How much per day does 1 dollar buy in Dhaka? Judging by the labor rates, it buys a lot. Measured in true cost of living, I don't think these people would appear as drastically underpaid as the photos imply.

[Fred]

To Wayne and Pat: Did either of you have to dig through trash heaps or "gain real-work experience" by forced labor starting at the early age of 5? No, I didn't think so. There is nothing 'pussified' about learning such 'theoretical b.s.' like math and science; you should be THANKFUL that many people before you dedicated the majority of their lives to such endeavors and now you can reap the rewards in the form of better medicine, better food, better machinery, etc. Yes, much education is not practical, but teaches you the importance of how to THINK; something neither of you two have apparently done in any serious manner regarding the subject of child labor or I gather much else other than what you are TOLD by others.

[Kevin]

@ Wayne Pugh

I understand the point you are trying to make. However, as you have mentioned, workers (children) are fighting to work in those conditions because of the alternative. So, according to you, they either work like this or die. Right? Doesn't sound much like volunteerism to me. Sounds similar to the choice of workcamps. Work in these conditions or die.

I also understand the point/idea that sending more industry to these countries could help to create more jobs which would increase competition for jobs causing wages to rise. But a few problems I see with this... One reason jobs are moving overseas now is because companies CAN pay lower wages to workers (pictured above). These companies are not wanting to pay lower wages so they can employ more people. They want to pay lower wages so they can make more profit. They move to these countries because they don't HAVE to pay these people a livable wage. This is one reason the auto industry (and others) move out of the US. In the US they HAVE to pay a 'minimum wage'. US industry has a huge lobby to keep the minimum wage low.

By endorsing globalization (which is not a totally bad thing, but is not the end all be all answer) you are under the assumption that business has an altruistic side. The goal of a company is to make a profit. To produce a product that is cheap to make, has an acceptable quality, and will sell. Companies skimp of the quality of the product and hire as cheap labor as is possible.

[whitey]

People are always talking about the robot revolution of the industrial sector but I think this shows why its not really necessary. People are very efficient machines that only cost 10 USD a month to operate. It would be great if ant0child labor laws were not only abolished, but incentives were offered to companies able to get super-cheap labor. Industry would boom and the economy would improve. Force them into close living quarters and naturally even more drones will result! Of course its best to keep them in the lower "mud" races as they are less intelligent and thus unlikely to rebel. It's not slavery if they are "paid" and have (many of the same) choices of employment!

[Gorax]

"America is THE most giving nation on Earth."... eh, noooooooooo....

[shaka]

wow that is truly wrong, they should be in school or something

[shaka]

Forgot to mention !

I think a solution would to be to make it a nationwide law that, make them stay an additional two and get some sort of formal education. In fact, turn these factories into makeshift educational dormitories. These factories are not going to stop overnight due to western outrage. Even if they did, what will these children do, how will they eat? Western sympathy and dollars can only go so far.

Welcome to the world of the poor, it's crowded and dirty.

[Arnþór]

Seeing these kids on the street begging for food would be even more sad, which if they didn't have a job would be the case.

[Sean MacKay]

So...how much does Munna make? One image says 7, one says 8 USD per month. Great images, but if there is to be info included, it needs to be entered accurately to avoid tainting the facts, as they begin appear contrived.

[Elisabeth]

The terrible conditions these children endure are very, very similar to how things were in the U.S. and western Europe in the nineteenth century and even into the twentieth century. It was common for little children as young as 6 or 8 to work grueling 12 hour days in hazardous conditions for a pittance. Child labor laws--including compulsory education laws--existed, but were routinely ignored and unenforced. The only way to end child labor is to make it possible for parents to earn enough to support their families. In this country, it was the 1935 Fair Labor Standards Act, which established a livable minimum wage, that dealt the death blow to many forms of child labor.

[WantToHelp]

I came across a service which lets anyone sponsor a child for £12 ($18 a month) a month http://www.plan-uk.org/becomeasponsor/.

The first thing you’ll receive when you become a sponsor is a welcome pack which contains information and pictures of the child you are sponsoring. Letters and pictures of your sponsored child. You can even track progress of the child, etc.

Make a difference! Help these kids!

[Nick]

Those images are hard to see without evoking some kind of sympathy for the children in them. However, the harsh truth is that we (as American citizens) pay taxes to support OUR infrastructure. We have a government whose responsibility is first and foremost to ITS citizens. As hard as it is to see the level of poverty that exists in this world, we have a lot of things to fix in our neck of the woods first.

Send factories and jobs to other countries? Right, and what do you say to the workers here who lose their jobs? "Sorry, we gave your job to someone who needs it more." That's B.S. If you are concerned for the welfare of children like the ones in the pictures then be proactive about it of your own accord. WantToHelp's comment above me is right on the money. Sponsor a child. But to expect the American public to sacrifice their well being in the interest of another country is unreasonable.

I know that sounds harsh, but it's the truth. It isn't the position of the American government to tend to the well being of other nations, just its own. That's why we have non-profit organizations and other NGO's to help. If you are truly concerned about poverty and other situations then donate a large chunk of your time and/or money to a non-profit organization like Amnesty International or the Peace Corps. That is the most effective way to help.

But you see I'm willing to bet that an overwhelming majority of people who come onto sites like these and complain about these terrible situations won't do that. They want to stay comfortable in their lifestyles and feel better about themselves by putting down their government's efforts (or lack thereof) in helping. When the bottom line is that the only government who is truly responsible for the horrible conditions of the people we witness is the one that governs them.

I'm not intending to sound heartless. In fact quite the opposite. I whole-heartedly encourage proactivity in this situation. Go help or donate money to do so. Just don't expect my tax dollars or government's time to do it for you.

[Catalina]

I think you need to understand that it is the US responsibility for these abuses to be happening, since the whole monetary system was implemented and supported by the US economic policies and own self-interest -through means of soft power- and because it happens that the WB and the IMF are funded by the US Federal Reserve (a quasi-private corporation) = which holds US dollar as the most internationally used currency. Let's not forget which major corporations are working there and for the most part they're American companies; we must not forget that they are as responsible for the exploitation of people (children and adults) as the governments that allow this to happen in their countries.

[Will]

Very sad....Is there a trustworthy aid-fund setup?

[Tombot]

You think these kids have problems?! I'm trying to figure out if I should buy a $425,000 house, or stretch it to my max at $470,000 ... can you believe the problems I have to deal with, here in America? Meanwhile, no one's taking pictures of me!*

(*sarcasm)

[dikdik]

lol hy metafilter!
-dikdik

[Nick]

@Catalina: I'm not buying it. The average American citizen is not responsible for privately held corporations. Yes there should be better regulations, but to place the blame for a company's bad practices on the American populace is ludicrous.

And you simply cannot reasonably blame the existence of factory sweat shops on the US involvement in the current economic state. I don't argue that there was (still is?) economic corruption happening w/ the IMF/WB, but to say that these terrible working conditions for children are as a result of this situation is foolish. That's the equivalent of saying that gun manufacturers are murderers because they produce products that kill. Someone chooses to pull the trigger of a gun. Just like someone in their own country chose to exploit these children.

[John Rohan]

So Catalina, this is the fault of the US? Are you serious?? The fault is entirely Bangladesh's. And not just it's government, but it's people.

The actual problem is one that no one here is mentioning: SEVERE OVERPOPULATION.

Bangladesh has over 150 million people, on a tiny country just slightly larger than Greece (which has only 11 million people, btw). It is the most densely populated country in the world outside of small islands or specialized city-states (like Monaco or Vatican City). Because of this, there are no rain forests or wildlife left at all. It has all been wiped out long ago. When humans become such a tight mass of people in such a small space, life tends to be greatly devalued.

NGOs and charities help in the short run. But the best way to assist in the long run is to support efforts to curb the population growth there. Historically, educating women is probably the best way to limit family sizes.

[Nathan Michael Marcuzzi]

WE ARE ALL part of the problem. WE ARE ALL part of the solution.

[Brenda]

Sad to think in Western countries we try so hard to find the "best deal" and the "best price".

Try to support "fair trade" and organic products and services when you can. We have the power to vote with our dollars.

Even better. Stop the consumer wheel and try for one day, one week, or one year to buy nothing new.

[Robbie]

i would like to build a brick home and would like to hire them for $1.50 per 1000 bricks please contact me on 0402 234 080 if interested

[Gretchen]

Zoriah...your work continues to astound me...cannot wait to see you again & hope that your work brings you back to the 303 soon. mallurd.

[Mohammad]

all of us need to realize the impact of decisions by our leaders, this globalization and capitalist mentality is creating a new generation of dictators who manipulate money thereby manipulate lifes of whole masses. look at our current recession, this may have brought lot of suffering to working families living on edge here in U.S. but these bank executives and financial experts are living a good life and getting bailed out.

[Wyatt Earp]

Capitalism. Problems ? Maybe you say "oh, only if those children would be replaced by grown ups" ? That only postpones slavery.
Search for "gospel of consumption, "story of stuff" and "the oil we eat".

[Nazma]

Brenda dont be obnoxious

[Andrea B.]

Work like this or die?

In far too many instances, there are and should be more than two options or alternatives. It's a bit offensive to read that the only 'alternative' is that these kids would be dead if they didn't work in cruel and sub-par conditions. That's a bullshit and over-simplified response.

Economic development is important, this much is true. Agriculture and industry are two primary sources of generating income. They are cardinal means of providing not only structure to an economy but also providing a means by which one can subsist.

Lesser developed nations NEED to establish firm rules and regulations regarding these things. But, far too often we, as developed nations, turn a blind eye to the cruelest of conditions and scenarios that this world spits out. That said, seeing these images doesn't make them any less abhorable just because they are from a depressed nation.

[Unknown]

This post is an excellent contribution to the world. It shows the suffering of those innocent kids. Your photos are really great it seems as if I am something right in front of me in real.
I hope the word speads and may those children be provided a better life soon.
Thanks!

[Marc M]

"So what?
Your political correctness won't change anything. It just makes you feel good, so you won't feel the need to actually do something at all..."

Do what?

[Linda Hemerik]

If there is one thing these kids are not helped with it is pity. It is unfair to these kids to look in from a completely different world and feel sorry for them. What they are doing, along with their parents (if they have any) is surviving. And just because our lives are sugar coated with materialism, it does not mean we are not surviving. Only we are faced survival in a different way, emotionally for one. But every single human being on this earth has his/hers own struggle day by day. And that's right: nobody takes pictures of that.
If you feel pity for these kids, but when push comes to shove would not be willing to spread the wealth, you are actually being disrespectful to those trying keeping their head above water. Life is a bitch and we all have to make the best of it. These pictures hopefully serve to at least think about what really matters in life.

[Monzur-Boston]

I could'nt stop my tear drops! I wish I could do something for this kids! Why dont the government of rich countries worry about these more than going after WMD or neuclear warefare? Is'nt it much bigger problem than those war issues?

[Dark Destiny]

Bangladesh is size of Wisconsin and has half the population of U.S.A.
You are part of the problem too! Some examples below:
1) See the houses in Bangladesh, almost anybody and everybody will violate the design and extend wall, balcony etc. Never thinking of fire hazard, neighbor, need for open space!
2) Nowhere else on earth you would see people spitting, urinating all over the place! Offices, School, Street everywhere!
3) Open a textbook and you will read things like, “If a milkman adds water to the milk and sells it for x amount, how much additional profit is there!” What are we teaching! Another example: “A monkey climbing on a slippery bamboo goes up 3 feet and comes down 1 feet in every 1 minutes, what height will the monkey reach after 5 minutes!”. Amazing textbooks!
4) Give the country to the German, Chinese, English, Vietnamese, anyone for that matters and I am sure they will stop the downfall of the nation!
Forgive my “self deprecation“; but we got 150 million self centered, greedy, unethical, well suited hoodlum who love to loot! Massive fraud, misleading info and outright criminal activity is becoming the norm of everyday life in Bangladesh. Unfortunately I see it only getting worst!

[Kricket]

Akash - Your pics are poignant and powerful.

The business owners and proprietors have been corrupted by the sweatshop industry itself. They will only become more ambitious and greedy if the situation is kept stagnant. I think its mainly a matter of recognising the importance of the current situ.The govt needs to be shaken by the shoulders and made to see its not just a case of instilling laws to quell international pressure. They need to feel against this injustice with a passion and convey it to the military so that these manufacturers will be checked and suitably punished.

The govt definitely must define an age margin for recruitment with consideration of the economic situation. It also could define a max %/number of child workers and adults that can be employed per business. It could define that the workers need to share a certain % of the profits made. Ethical business practices must be recognised and awarded.

I work at a apparel manufacturing company and the vendors we work with, (luxurious US and UK brands), are immensely aware and concerned about our working practices.If we demonstrate unethical business practices they will just stop giving us their orders!If this is actioned with more of the West needs actively concious about where they are buying from it would be a good start.

[Frema]

To me this is out of context cultural propaganda...this type of treatment of children has been going on globally even here and now in the west for generations,decades. The photos are bright and shiny and elicit sentimentality when we juxstapose them with our cute pictures of childhood
based on the plentitude of western existence. Although it brings to light a poignant realization i find it misrepresentational of its true motivation.
Anyone who could take such artistic photos of these scenes to me is inauthentic and somewhat mirror the practice of the employers by using anothers unfortunate(desperate) situation to benefit themselves. Sorry.

[Adam]

Only one correct comment out of the lot so far.

OVERPOPULATION

That is the cause of what you see in the photos and in any factory of any overpopulated developing country on the planet. 'Helping' these children by sending them money or 'sponsoring' them actually makes the problem worse. It enables them to grow up and have 4 to 12 kids of their own.

Want to start helping these nations, stop giving them aid. Want to really help them indiscriminately, drop enough bombs on them to wipe out 90% of their populations. Want to help them selectively, set aside your specific 10% of the population then kill the remaining 90%.

But don't feel too bad for them America, with your 'faith based' abstinence bullshit and your soaring teen pregnancy rates, you're a couple generations away from the same fate. Cheers!!

[Mahfuza]

The pictures look very sad I feel for them but one good thing is that they are not begging on the street. I suspect some people may take this case to American Congress to suspend Import quotas and AIDS for Bangladesh.

[Chris Dykstra]

Child labor is a natural outcome of societies' evolution from a collection of independent agricultural producers to an organized industrial state. All modern free-market economies used child labor at one time or another. It is expected.

However, the fact that it is expected does not mean that it is acceptable. The efforts of government, investors, entrepreneurs, consumers and workers can be combined to change the labor landscape.

Government can adopt progressive labor laws that address minimum wages and gradually increase the legal age at which a child can seek employment. Government also plays an important role in consumer education.

Investors can organize at the shareholder level to approve corporate standards that allow for additional expense and time at the production level to account for shorter work days, higher wages, more sustainable environmental practices. Shareholders of large corporations like Walmart and Target can make it difficult for the company to purchase goods and services from suppliers using unethical production practices.

Entrepreneurs, who operate on the front line of this battle, can incrementally change the labor landscape within their own businesses by adopting ethical and sustainable employment and production practices. However, small businesses are the beating heart of all economies. They have to stay competitive. Businesses operating within a given economy simply cannot raise production and labor costs beyond a profitable framework. To do so would imperil their very existence. Progressive entrepreneurs can agree to work towards a desirable endstate in partnership with investors, government, workers and consumers, however.

Consumers can understand that it will take their dollars to change the system. It isn't about boycotts, or reducing consumption necessarily. While a child may have been employed to make your product, which is not socially just, there is also a job at the end of your purchase which routed resources to a family, which is socially just and desirable. It's about making good purchasing choices. Choose to purchase fair trade products and at stores and corporations that participate and sustain a fair trade economy. Note: You will pay more for your purchases, and you should. Creating the wealth that enables a child to not work during childhood is expensive.

Finally - the workers also have a responsibility to fight to determine their own working conditions and their minimum wages. Child labor and dangerous, toxic factories in third-world countries are the new green field for labor organizing. Labor organizing activities in emerging economies have a large role to play in forcing change. These struggles can be bloody. They usually are protracted, difficult negotiations. However, the voice of the worker must be represented by workers - not to reduce profit and engender entitlement - but to participate as equals representing perhaps the most valuable commodity in a market-based economy - labor.

[Brendan]

These photos are stunning. The composition, the colour, and the exposure are all absolutely spot on.

What body/lens did you shoot these with?

[Aaron Jonah]

The deception of the 1st World Dream! Is it worth buying something cheap and expendable knowing some kid lost their childhood to make it. But then if we dont where do they get money to feed their families and themselves. So do we rally for better wages and better work environment or dont buy Wallmart? If they have better wages and better work environments then the owners wont make as much because of the costs associated with better work environments and not cutting corners on their overhead. Prices on products will have to increase in order for the owner to recoup for overhead costs. Then North America companies will buy products where they can get the best deal and cheapest to keep their prices down and get more for their overhead. So basically our sick, gluttonous, prosperous, over eating, over spending, never satisfied, always wanting more society drives this vicious cycle of demand and supply. People in those countries leave the land and go to the city with the dream of the LIE!

[Emily Agenjo]

This was incredibly eye opening. These beautiful children are forced to be in such awful situations and as some of those commenting have asked, what can we do about it?
I think so much can be done for these children and the rest of the around 27 million people in slavery around the world.
Although one commenter has said that the problem could be solved by bombs I don't think anyone in their right mind would agree with that. We can help these people. I do agree that aid may be a good amount of help, but also getting involved in extracting these helpless children from their situations can be a lot more help.
I hope that more people will read this and look at these images with wide open eyes and hearts and look for ways to help.
There are many organizations that are honest and willing to share with interested parties exactly what they are doing to better the lifestyles of these children.
I think we have turned a blind eye to these injustices taking place. We have ignored them in our own country for too long and are now ignoring what is happening to our brothers and sisters throughout the world.
Thank you for the information that has hopefully inspired someone to do something right.

[tanya]

this makes me incredibly incredibly sad

[name]

To the A**Hole who said: 4) Give the country to the German, Chinese, English, Vietnamese, anyone for that matters and I am sure they will stop the downfall of the nation!

The British ran the place for centuries!!!
How much more colonization do you want?

Bangladesh is a strong country with a strong people and they too will be worldbeaters they just need time.

[calheta]

reminds me of something out of a dickens novel- the uk's workhouses.

[Saeed]

Its very sad that they have to work hard and get no education, basically this is their future too ...

thanks for sharing

http://www.PersianToronto.com

[Dayna]

Respectfully taking everyone's positions into consideration, these are still remarkably beautiful photographs. I didn't want that to get lost in the discussion.

[Che]

kimse ağlayıp sızlamasın oturduğu yerden klavye başından vah vah ne yazık demesin belkide şu an klavyesinden bi boklar yazdığımız bilgisayarımızın bir parçası sağlığı pahasına bu çocukların elinden geçmiştir.

kapitalizm
ve
siktiğimin lanet dünya düzeniniz...işte sonuçları

[Anonymoud]

personally, i think everyone needs to stop trying to blame child labour on something and just focus on stopping it. I realize it's far from that easy to say the least, but arguing over whose fault it is only wastes time and energy.

[Dolores]

This is a sad situation, but not just in Bangladesh. There are migrant workers here in the U.S.A. who are working in the fields.

[Air Purifiers]

Wow very very nice pictures. Thanks ya.

[Justin]

These images are incredible-- thanks for sharing. I'm sure everyone here saw this report already, but the United Nations NY headquarters is selling the artwork of Ugandan child soldiers to support goodwill programs there:

http://theamateurartcollector.com/2009/05/14/child-soldier-art/

[Sam]

There's no schooling system, they are old enough to lift things, what else are they going to do? This is a way of life.

Sadly

[DjMyNgO]

Well! is very beautiful the sequence of photos very sad I am on having seen to the children but beautiful photos, i liked!.I will continue seeing next photographies.
Congratulations and luck!
From Mexico!

[Terezinha]

Nem é preciso ler o texto! As fotos dizem mais ainda!

Será que seria mesmo necessário tanto dinheiro para mudar tal situação? Ou um governo mais humano, voltado ao SER HUMANO e não ao capitalismo, minimizaria esse problema?

Terezinha Pereira

[Cassiano Bessa]

Criminal islamic religion forbbides birth control, so in medium average each woman in Bangladesh has 5 kids...
After there are more kids than food to educate properly these youth.
And some western organisations help in birth growth of population, that grows in foolish rate of 5% a year...
No land enough, too much people, hunger, child work.
What do you expected?

[Luciana Duarte]

Do not know what to say ...
I'm shocked!!!

[Penny Chow]

Are these children paying the price the advancement of developing countries? Are these the same bricks that are used to build our houses?

[Cristiane Vicente]

Zoriah seu trabalho é excepcional!

[Gio]

"If Americans weren't so protectionist with their wealth and industry, more factories would move abroad and the competition for workers would raise wages in these third world countries."

...and why are we assuming that the factories in these photos are not, in fact, owned by American corporations?

[Gie]

Dieve koks siaubas. Visiškas beviltiškumas ir ašaros. Juk kiekviename vaike matai savo vaiką...

[Self-help and independence]

Feeling So sad For these kids...god help them...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Viva-Magazine-Your-Premium-Womens-Natural-Health-Magazine/262734921452?ref=ts

https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&send_id=817789614&email=7cff47bb7cdcb76fbfa15e66c81a1961

[Child labor]

Feel sorry all those child...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Viva-Magazine-Your-Premium-Womens-Natural-Health-Magazine/262734921452?ref=ts

[Kids health]

I feel sorry for these kids...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Viva-Magazine-Your-Premium-Womens-Natural-Health-Magazine/262734921452?ref=ts

[Spiritul timpului]

This is the real problem of 3th word. But there are many children who work in developed contries, too. Take care!

[Radwan Chowdhury]

Child Labor in Bangladesh‏ ~ Child Labor deprives children from childhood and their dignity, which hampers their access to education and acquisition of skills ~

Bangladesh and the garment industry ~
Although child labor is illegal in Bangladesh, for years the powerful garment industry employed between 50,000 and 75,000 children under 14, mainly girls. Bangladesh is one of the world's leading garment exporters, but the situation captured little international attention until 1992, when the US introduced legislation to ban the importation of goods made using child labor. As a result, garment employers dismissed about three-quarters of all children employed in the industry. With no access to education and few skills, the children had few alternatives to escape their crushing poverty. Many went looking for new jobs in stone-crushing, street hustling and prostitution - all more hazardous and exploitative than garment making. Recognizing the need for action, UNICEF and the Ipec program of the International Labor Organization (ILO) began talks with industry leaders in 1993 to find a solution. After two years of difficult negotiations, an agreement was signed in 1995 between the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), UNICEF and the ILO. The parties agreed to: move all workers aged below 14 within four months to appropriate education program; no further hiring of under-age workers; and offer the children's jobs to qualified adult family members. With financial support from UNICEF, two NGO's - Gono Shahjjo Shangstha and the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) - have been placing former child laborers in special schools. There they are protected and receive health care, skills development training and a monthly cash stipend to compensate for their lost wages. Personal bank accounts and credit facilities have been set up for the families.

Bangladesh: An entire industry bans child labor ~
The threat of a consumer boycott of their exported products was one reason why garment manufacturers in Bangladesh decided to put an end to the employment of children under 14 years of age in their 200 factories. Some factory owners - all of them members of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers' and Exporters' Association (BGMEA) - reacted precipitously to the boycott menace by dismissing all their child workers on the spot, thereby attracting criticism for making a bad situation worse by denying poor families access to an important source of income. ILO - IPEC was among those who urged a more comprehensive approach to the problem, to include the rehabilitation of the child workers through regular education and the provision of alternative earning opportunities for the affected families. The outcome was an agreement signed by the Government, BGMEA, IPEC and UNICEF in 1995 to combine in a systematic operation on an unprecedented scale: nothing less than the phasing out of child labor from the entire garment manufacturing industry in a controlled and humane manner. Central elements of the program are rehabilitation of the 10,500 children involved and income support for their families. Regular schooling is the key to rehabilitation, but in many areas schools are either inadequate or non-existent. UNICEF's responsibility is to help overcome that deficiency. By mid-1996 it had 2,100 children enrolled in 130 schools, with the likelihood that all would be in schools well before the year's end. Income support is covered by the payment of a monthly stipend of US$7.50 per student, the cost being shared by BGMEA, IPEC and UNICEF. IPEC has devised a monitoring system, staffed by 25 trained teams, to ensure that factories comply with the agreement, and also to check that the children are regular in their school attendance and have not drifted into work elsewhere. The operation's strengths are considerable. Over 10,000 children will benefit from the change it is making to their lives. Cooperation with employers has been reinforced, a point that has not gone unnoticed by employers' organizations in other countries. The industry has averted the boycott danger.
But it also raises new problems. Stipends are crucial to its success, but the financial obligation they incur is unsustainable; ways must be found to boost family income in the long term. The project targets children from the garment industry over those in other industries, and it also targets families which sent their children to work over those which made the sacrifice of sending them to school. These problems must be yet overcome if the operation is to achieve total success.

A better future for children in poverty ~
Providing children with a quality education, life and income-generating skills is now seen as a means of increasing the options available to working children and their families. It will enable them to escape poverty and the need to work in hazardous or exploitative occupations. To enhance the life possibilities for children, UNICEF Bangladesh developed the Basic Education for Urban Working Children project for 200,000 children, especially girls and their families, to access their rights to education, protection and development. In six cities, working children aged 10 to 14 are provided a non-formal basic education that includes reading, writing, math and life skills lessons using participatory teaching methods specifically designed for the needs of this group. Additionally, 20,000 working children aged 13 years and older will have access to support systems to ensure they can optimize their education, thus improving their life chances. The project started in 2004 and is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and several UNICEF National Committees. UNICEF Bangladesh also actively advocates for educational, social and economic policies in favor of working children and their families and supports the progressive elimination of child labor.

[jen herrera]

I think that most simply we need to focus on responsible breeding practices. Stop uneducated people from poping out future slaves in the first place & every country would do better. It will cost to provide birth control to the masses, but in the long run the damage will be stopped from the out of control breeding we are dealing with now.

[La Martina]

Dieve koks siaubas. Visiškas beviltiškumas ir ašaros. Juk kiekviename vaike matai savo vaiką...

[Nike Shox CL]

All things are difficult before they are easy. Whatever we do, we must put our heart and soul in it. Thanks for you blog.

[Supra Skytop]

I am so luck to read your article. Perfect! welcome to our website http://www.supras.cc/ so that we can exchange our idea. I hope we both can do a better job in the futher. Thank you!

[nipple breast]

child labour.............
huh! seems like a very complicated thing............
but it is not.......just some children working where they should not......

isn't it simple......

they are poor ,can't go to school...........

so working in such places.........

maybe also forced by their parents......

no othr reasons come in my mind.................

if u can think u plz find it and tell me..............

ha!ha!ha!ha!ha!ha!

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Watched them, I am very sad, very distressed, to hear.

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Are these children paying the price the advancement of developing countries? Are these the same bricks that are used to build our houses?

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I am very sad

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[thomas sabo]

i feel sad for these.the most important thing is that we must help them

[wholesaledunk]

so sad to see these face ,the kids.

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[uggkicks]

people do not take into account the importance of reading in our lives, since I have 14 years I got used to make reading something important in my life, I think is essential in the developme

[caroline]

I have the deepest sympathy with them.
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[a student]

Its very deplorable how children are working hard in this age instead of going to a school...
I just hope that this will not be seen in the near future
thanks a lot for sharing your ideas and opening our eyes...
you also helped me in my school assignment =)

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I agree with you . Now all became clear, I thank for the help and I hope to see more such articles.

[Dubai Photographer]

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[Kids Future]

Very Very worst situation..1 picture is better than 1000 words and so are the photographs speak a lot with no words..People who are busy wid their own joy and sadness must definitely look into this critical situation.. everyone must contribute their best to abolish such a worst thing.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQVTXSgd2Cg Each and every kids face is overwhelmed wid longing, emotions,restlessness..Definitely every reader will be moved to tears...Shocking!!!

[Generic Cialis]

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[jesus]

It's also important to remember that the U.S is 5% of the population on Earth, and uses 35% of the WORLDS natural resources!

Consider also that the top 1% of wealth holders in this country have more money than the bottom 97% combined!?!?!?!?!!!

That is the problem. Well, that is a major part, the other part is our outright addiction to worthless goods. Wake up people! We need to redistribute the top 1% of the wealth to the people. An inverted tax scale would be nice. And an individual salary cap of oh, I don't know... ...let's say 1 billion annually. The rest goes to the bottom 10%.

[Sony Bloggie]

Those eyes shocked me. Though they are tired and poor, the eyes are still bright with hopefully. Sometimes we should think and help them who are alaways forgotten and surffer hunger and poor.

[Account Deleted]

you address the real issue of south Asia there is no law of child labour. i hate that people who use child that is crime.http://www.essayhelppros.co.uk/