Fancy Words Can't Hide Ugly Reality Of Child Labour In Thailand

[saroq]

And what do people think these children should be doing if not working to earn some pocket money? Hanging around in the toilets of a Pattaya department store! Stealing! Pick pocketing! Then spending the cash in video arcades or online games.

As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous I see nothing wrong with a child working. I worked from the age of 13 washing cars & boats on Saturdays and school holidays. Friends delivered newspapers or groceries. Earning our own money gave us a lot of self esteem plus we all turned out OK. None of us felt abused or taken advantage of.

Every weekend of my childhood I was woken at 5am, fed breakfast, loaded into the back of a truck and delivered to which ever place of work it had been decided I would work at that day. I was loaded back into the truck sometime between 6 or 6:30pm and was at home by 7pm. I received no wages for my work and plenty of abuse. They didn't call it forced labor or child labor back then it was called spending time with your father.

[finnomick1]

Perhaps Thai people could be ' allowed ' to realise their full potential if they had free ( and compulsory education ) to the age of 16 or further. How many potentials had to leave school when they were 12 because their parents could not afford to keep them at school ? Thailand is not and probably never will be a land of opportunity. Furthermore, the idea of being discarded onto the scrapheap when one reaches the age of 30 needs to be dealt with. I know of at least one ' potential ' who can speak, read and write better English than the local Head of English but because she is over 30 and does not have a magic piece of paper saying ' graduate ' on it, she doesn't qualify to be able to teach -- what a loss, both for her and Thailand.

[Thai at Heart]

What percentage of kids miss school to go to work in Thailand? I believe quite low. What they need is a way to scoop vagrant and destitute kids of the streets and house them and pay for them to go to school.

Of course, someone would probably make a business out of it and scalp the budget.

[ags83]

There's this idea that it's a really bad thing for a child to have to work, but sending them to thai public school for 15 years and filling their brains with garbage is such a great thing...

Obviously in a perfect world these children would have more options, but that's life. People in the western world get shocked when they see a child has to work in a factory or something ....but what do these people think the child would be doing if not working ? Playing xbox and studying to become a doctor ?

I can only hope that the wonderful government doesn't come along and make it illegal for children to work or some rubbish (just like the min wage thing - if that was actually enforced it would only lead to mass unemployment).

[Thai at Heart]

There's this idea that it's a really bad thing for a child to have to work, but sending them to thai public school for 15 years and filling their brains with garbage is such a great thing...

Obviously in a perfect world these children would have more options, but that's life. People in the western world get shocked when they see a child has to work in a factory or something ....but what do these people think the child would be doing if not working ? Playing xbox and studying to become a doctor ?

I can only hope that the wonderful government doesn't come along and make it illegal for children to work or some rubbish (just like the min wage thing - if that was actually enforced it would only lead to mass unemployment).

There is a world if difference between helping family in spare time and fulltime work.

[softgeorge]

I used to buy products for my company that were made in Thailand. The US company then found that China could make the same product for 2 cents an hour less so they moved.

This is the normal practice for American companies. Then the US go on about child labour !!!!!

I grew up in the 1950's and did part time jobs from the age of 11. It was normal in those days.

Quite true I use to have a paper round and enjoyed earning my own little money, then the powers that be after pressure from minority groups decided that my paper round was child labour and I was being abused (abused by myself I guess) Yep legislation was passed and kids could no longer do paper rounds, mow a few lawns or do odd jobs to earn a little money to go to the movies etc

[hellodolly]

Why doesn't the newspaper really attack this? Go out catch them - go undercover if you have to get the story. Take pictures, get them on the run. Break them. These things change when the news voice stays on top of it. Take pictures. Run exposes and continuous stories on it - smoke them out the abusers. Call attention to them - write about and photograph it! Do something to change instead of writing this meaningless tripe in this type of whining editorial. Instead of whining about Yingluck's sincerity the newspaper should examine its own sincerity and professional journalism standards.

Great post

Would be nice if all the news outlets could get together on this and expose the truth including releases to all the international outlets.

I defend my right to dream the imposable dream.

[hellodolly]

Is the last sentence a joke ?

Sent from my GT-S5360 using Thaivisa Connect App

It must be. How could you put the words "professional," journalism," and "standards" in the same sentence when talking about any newspaper in Thailand?

easy just add lack of

[ags83]

There's this idea that it's a really bad thing for a child to have to work, but sending them to thai public school for 15 years and filling their brains with garbage is such a great thing...

Obviously in a perfect world these children would have more options, but that's life. People in the western world get shocked when they see a child has to work in a factory or something ....but what do these people think the child would be doing if not working ? Playing xbox and studying to become a doctor ?

I can only hope that the wonderful government doesn't come along and make it illegal for children to work or some rubbish (just like the min wage thing - if that was actually enforced it would only lead to mass unemployment).

There is a world if difference between helping family in spare time and fulltime work.

Well...kind of, but what is the 'solution' ?

In terms of actual education and future earning potential, I doubt there would be much difference at all between a working street kid and a kid that went through a public school. Though arguments could be made for the social aspects of school life.

[hellodolly]

And what do people think these children should be doing if not working to earn some pocket money? Hanging around in the toilets of a Pattaya department store! Stealing! Pick pocketing! Then spending the cash in video arcades or online games.

As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous I see nothing wrong with a child working. I worked from the age of 13 washing cars & boats on Saturdays and school holidays. Friends delivered newspapers or groceries. Earning our own money gave us a lot of self esteem plus we all turned out OK. None of us felt abused or taken advantage of.

I would assume you also had an education, or means to an education? The examples you give of labour are part time jobs for pocket money, not based on 16 hour days (in some cases).

But, with the above being said, if the family cannot afford to send the children to school (and this is not as uncommon as it may sound), what will become of the child later in life? This is not a dig at the educational system here as such, but what chance does a kid have in a society that needs to see the degree first before they can be assessed or used to their full potental in later life?

Keesters, I don't think you are entirely wrong in what you say above.

You both bring up very good points.

I dug my first ditch at 7. I started doing work in the building and long term landscaping at the age of 5. I did how ever get a education and it was the number one priority through grade 12.

I have no kids here now but from what I have been able to observe here kids for the most part have electronic things for their enjoyment. I don't see lot's of kids ridding bicycles or other games. The only time I see them in a large group out side of the schools is when they are cruising the Mall.

[hellodolly]

Having children develop a strong work ethic is not a big problem if they are helping their impoverished families. But porn and sexual slavery is disgusting and parents their teach their daughters to sell themselves to farangs in pattaya should also be imprisoned.!

Are you saying that you approve of an 11 year old working to support his impoverished family?

Are you saying you approve of a 11 year old not working and him and his family starving to death.

[PoodMaiDai]

Why doesn't the newspaper really attack this? Go out catch them - go undercover if you have to get the story. Take pictures, get them on the run. Break them. These things change when the news voice stays on top of it. Take pictures. Run exposes and continuous stories on it - smoke them out the abusers. Call attention to them - write about and photograph it! Do something to change instead of writing this meaningless tripe in this type of whining editorial. Instead of whining about Yingluck's sincerity the newspaper should examine its own sincerity and professional journalism standards.

They would either be sued for libel, courtesy of Thailand's ridiculous defamation law, or they would be killed for stepping on the toes of the wealthy, corrupt, and connected.

Most everything horrible does without real notice here. All neatly swept under little rugs and not spoken about.

[chooka]

Perhaps Thai people could be ' allowed ' to realise their full potential if they had free ( and compulsory education ) to the age of 16 or further. How many potentials had to leave school when they were 12 because their parents could not afford to keep them at school ? Thailand is not and probably never will be a land of opportunity. Furthermore, the idea of being discarded onto the scrapheap when one reaches the age of 30 needs to be dealt with. I know of at least one ' potential ' who can speak, read and write better English than the local Head of English but because she is over 30 and does not have a magic piece of paper saying ' graduate ' on it, she doesn't qualify to be able to teach -- what a loss, both for her and Thailand.

I am confused, Do you think that it is only Thailand where you need a degree to perform certain work duties. I know in Australia also, just like Thailand you nee a teaching degree to teach and it is not holding them back.

[chooka]

Why doesn't the newspaper really attack this? Go out catch them - go undercover if you have to get the story. Take pictures, get them on the run. Break them. These things change when the news voice stays on top of it. Take pictures. Run exposes and continuous stories on it - smoke them out the abusers. Call attention to them - write about and photograph it! Do something to change instead of writing this meaningless tripe in this type of whining editorial. Instead of whining about Yingluck's sincerity the newspaper should examine its own sincerity and professional journalism standards.

They would either be sued for libel, courtesy of Thailand's ridiculous defamation law, or they would be killed for stepping on the toes of the wealthy, corrupt, and connected.

Most everything horrible does without real notice here. All neatly swept under little rugs and not spoken about.

I agree the defamation laws in Thailand are so strict and freely abused that it almost completely gags the population from speaking out against the ills of the country. People are afraid of being sued. Corrupt officials and business people in Thailand hide behind these laws and take those who speak out to the cleaners. Sure the papers can say it is going on but if they dig to deep and expose those involved in child labour then kiss your 1st born good bye.

[Keesters]

Well it clearly was forced

And what do people think these children should be doing if not working to earn some pocket money? Hanging around in the toilets of a Pattaya department store! Stealing! Pick pocketing! Then spending the cash in video arcades or online games.

As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous I see nothing wrong with a child working. I worked from the age of 13 washing cars & boats on Saturdays and school holidays. Friends delivered newspapers or groceries. Earning our own money gave us a lot of self esteem plus we all turned out OK. None of us felt abused or taken advantage of.

Every weekend of my childhood I was woken at 5am, fed breakfast, loaded into the back of a truck and delivered to which ever place of work it had been decided I would work at that day. I was loaded back into the truck sometime between 6 or 6:30pm and was at home by 7pm. I received no wages for my work and plenty of abuse. They didn't call it forced labor or child labor back then it was called spending time with your father.

Well it clearly was forced labor and shouldn't have been allowed. The danger that I see is of banning children from working entirely. Rather than that it needs to be controlled. What can a child work at and for how many hours etc. would be, to me, a better way to go than a full-on ban. Let those who wish to work in their non school hours do so under controlled conditions.

Enforcement is of course another problem.

[Keesters]

And what do people think these children should be doing if not working to earn some pocket money? Hanging around in the toilets of a Pattaya department store! Stealing! Pick pocketing! Then spending the cash in video arcades or online games.

As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous I see nothing wrong with a child working. I worked from the age of 13 washing cars & boats on Saturdays and school holidays. Friends delivered newspapers or groceries. Earning our own money gave us a lot of self esteem plus we all turned out OK. None of us felt abused or taken advantage of.

You were, indeed, a hard-working child during your school holidays.

However, these children do not go to school, and this is (more than) full-time work.

Do you think this gives Thai children a sense of self esteem?

If you had read my post correctly you would see that I said "Saturdays and school holidays", "As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous". Under those conditions a child can work and gain self-esteem.

Under the conditions you quote..which have nothing to do with what I wrote...then I very much doubt there would be any self-esteem.

[cup-O-coffee]

Having children develop a strong work ethic is not a big problem if they are helping their impoverished families. But porn and sexual slavery is disgusting and parents their teach their daughters to sell themselves to farangs in pattaya should also be imprisoned.!

You are describing these these as being viewed in the same context? I hope not. Your implications are sick to suggest that only foreigners are on the receiving end of the instruction. You do not even feign to ponder what goes in to the instruction, and who is there to offer their services as the tutor and the willing helper. I suspect it is not a foreigner or foreigners. Additionally the relatively small percentage of children who are abused by foreigners are small in comparison to the relatively large percentage of THAI children and and THAI adults who create this cottage industry in order to lure stupid, feeble minded (albeit innocent) foreigners into committing these acts, whereas they would never have done them were they not tempted so skillfully. That being said, I agree that the ones forming the minds of the young in these paths should not only be put away, but turned into fertilizer for the rice paddies. The criminal act has been committed long before a foreigner is involved.

[cup-O-coffee]

What is. What should be. That's the problem. The US describes what should be without understanding what is and why. Addressing this issue as children being forced to labor, under the context of US living standards, will get us nowhere. You cannot compare apples to oranges and try to genetically manufacture oranges and call them apples. This is the way it is, and there is no should be.

The US forgets that they had a Great Depression and the situation (on the surface) was the same then as it is here now. It is simply that poverty has been around in Thailand much longer than the 6 or 7 years that the Great Depression was and it is now an ingrained and accepted fact. It almost seems to be genetic. It should not excuse child labor in the Great Depression, and it should not excuse child labor in the Really Great "Depression" in Thailand, but nevertheless, it is what it is. It is what people do when times are tough, whether it be 6 years of tough times and being forgotten by your government or 600 years of tough times and being forgotten by your government.

Principle does not put meat on the plate. There are a lot of ideas and opinions about what should be, and asshol_e governments like the US seem to get their kicks by picking out the obvious weaknesses of underdeveloped Thai thinking. Perhaps the US government should consider that their version of abnormal is another person's version of normal, and any solution will only cause confusion.

The factors that go into the thinking which creates child labor are extremely different than those in the US. You cannot erase this thinking and indoctrination or religious, social and peer group think in 1 or 100 years. So go ahead and try to make it into your "should be" little world, and you will find that these people will create the same situation in less than one generation, with or without any government involvement.

The Thais are too ingrained, no matter how we interpret that, and they do not care, because they do not know to care, and they could care less what you know or care about, and they would see any gift of aid or assistance as an opportunity to fleece you and take advantage of your gift, and then waste it, and that is the way it is.

And, what do you see as the solution to the problem?

The solution? The solution is all around you. Why would you want me to fix something that is not broken?

The problem (as you put it) is really not a problem. It is your view of what is. Clearly it is not their view of what is, as they have not fixed for hundreds of years what you or anyone else thinks needs fixing. But some people with their heads up their asses cannot go to sleep at night thinking on these things. They feel compelled to tamper with something that is not broken and throw it all out of whack instead with minor fixes and jury-rigging.

[jshorts]

And what do people think these children should be doing if not working to earn some pocket money? Hanging around in the toilets of a Pattaya department store! Stealing! Pick pocketing! Then spending the cash in video arcades or online games.

As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous I see nothing wrong with a child working. I worked from the age of 13 washing cars & boats on Saturdays and school holidays. Friends delivered newspapers or groceries. Earning our own money gave us a lot of self esteem plus we all turned out OK. None of us felt abused or taken advantage of.

Every weekend of my childhood I was woken at 5am, fed breakfast, loaded into the back of a truck and delivered to which ever place of work it had been decided I would work at that day. I was loaded back into the truck sometime between 6 or 6:30pm and was at home by 7pm. I received no wages for my work and plenty of abuse. They didn't call it forced labor or child labor back then it was called spending time with your father.

Are you comparing your childhood weekends (I imagine that you were in school during the week!) with your father with the seven-day-a-week work schedule of these uneducated children?

[DocN]

I am surprised...if not shocked...about what many of you are writing here.

This is not the USA (or Europe)...so child labor is somehow...okay???

Helping the family and a fulltime job under extremely poor conditions (f.e. selling flowers on a busy street in Bangkok with no shoes on your feet) is somehow the same thing???

It is okay for a kid to work under inhumane conditions...as long as it is not sex- work???

Your dad being an a-hole on Sundays is somehow the same as 17 hours in a factory all day???

Sorry, but ....seriously, guys???

[jshorts]

And what do people think these children should be doing if not working to earn some pocket money? Hanging around in the toilets of a Pattaya department store! Stealing! Pick pocketing! Then spending the cash in video arcades or online games.

As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous I see nothing wrong with a child working. I worked from the age of 13 washing cars & boats on Saturdays and school holidays. Friends delivered newspapers or groceries. Earning our own money gave us a lot of self esteem plus we all turned out OK. None of us felt abused or taken advantage of.

You were, indeed, a hard-working child during your school holidays.

However, these children do not go to school, and this is (more than) full-time work.

Do you think this gives Thai children a sense of self esteem?

If you had read my post correctly you would see that I said "Saturdays and school holidays", "As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous". Under those conditions a child can work and gain self-esteem.

Under the conditions you quote..which have nothing to do with what I wrote...then I very much doubt there would be any self-esteem.

I did read your post correctly, and I gave you the benefit of the doubt, too. Without giving you the benefit of the doubt, I am then forced to say that your post does not address the situation as stated in the original article which talks about the "Ugly Reality of Child Labour in Thailand."

[Sayonarax]

And what do people think these children should be doing if not working to earn some pocket money? Hanging around in the toilets of a Pattaya department store! Stealing! Pick pocketing! Then spending the cash in video arcades or online games.

As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous I see nothing wrong with a child working. I worked from the age of 13 washing cars & boats on Saturdays and school holidays. Friends delivered newspapers or groceries. Earning our own money gave us a lot of self esteem plus we all turned out OK. None of us felt abused or taken advantage of.

You smell fresh off the boat. They are not working because they want too.. what child wants to roam the streets late at night selling flowers to drunk <deleted>?

Your talking about 8 to 10 year olds. You cleary dont have children, otherwise you wouldnt spew out, what a legend you was at the age of 13. Working in the safety of adults is completely different you ignorant little man.

Yes we all want our kids wondering around busy intersection, character building.

[Sayonarax]

And what do people think these children should be doing if not working to earn some pocket money? Hanging around in the toilets of a Pattaya department store! Stealing! Pick pocketing! Then spending the cash in video arcades or online games.

As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous I see nothing wrong with a child working. I worked from the age of 13 washing cars & boats on Saturdays and school holidays. Friends delivered newspapers or groceries. Earning our own money gave us a lot of self esteem plus we all turned out OK. None of us felt abused or taken advantage of.

You were, indeed, a hard-working child during your school holidays.

However, these children do not go to school, and this is (more than) full-time work.

Do you think this gives Thai children a sense of self esteem?

If you had read my post correctly you would see that I said "Saturdays and school holidays", "As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous". Under those conditions a child can work and gain self-esteem.

Under the conditions you quote..which have nothing to do with what I wrote...then I very much doubt there would be any self-esteem.

I did read your post correctly, and I gave you the benefit of the doubt, too. Without giving you the benefit of the doubt, I am then forced to say that your post does not address the situation as stated in the original article which talks about the "Ugly Reality of Child Labour in Thailand."

Maybe he should have spent his weekends, learning comprehension reading.

[Daewoo]

I agree that it went too far in Western countries, like Australia, where they put artificial barriers around school kids doing part time work... We even have this ridiculous situation where you are forced to stay at school until you complete year 12 (17 or 18) despite having no aptitude or willingness for schoolwork in the vain hope that you will miraculously absorb an education through osmosis, just by turning up...

My father left school at 15, as was the norm, worked full time, studied at night, and ended his working life at one of Australia's largest and most iconic (at the time) global companies... making him stay till 18 wouldn't have changed that one bit...

but this isn't about part time work, or providing access to quality education... it is about children being sold into genuine slavery by their parents, working in typically unsafe conditions, because it is cheaper to employ 3 children than 1 adult... unregulated capitalism at it;s best...

Good on US companies, either through government policy or for their own quadruple bottom line, for taking action on child labour... unfortunately it plays into the hands of other less scrupulous countries that have no such concerns (I'm especially talking about you, China)...

Unfortunately, manufacturing for the US market is only a small part of the problem... but I guess it is a start... It would be good if those kind of activities could be extended successfully...

Poverty is a genuine problem in Thailand... but it shouldn't be addressed by sacrificing future generations to poverty...

[jshorts]

What percentage of kids miss school to go to work in Thailand? I believe quite low. What they need is a way to scoop vagrant and destitute kids of the streets and house them and pay for them to go to school.

Of course, someone would probably make a business out of it and scalp the budget.

Why to you believe quite low?

[Thai at Heart]

I am surprised...if not shocked...about what many of you are writing here.

This is not the USA (or Europe)...so child labor is somehow...okay???

Helping the family and a fulltime job under extremely poor conditions (f.e. selling flowers on a busy street in Bangkok with no shoes on your feet) is somehow the same thing???

It is okay for a kid to work under inhumane conditions...as long as it is not sex- work???

Your dad being an a-hole on Sundays is somehow the same as 17 hours in a factory all day???

Sorry, but ....seriously, guys???

Working full time on the streets of course isn't ok, but, what percentage does this entail of all kids in Thailand? Very small.

There are very few factories employing kids and the kids talked about as being on building sites are often not Thai. i believe that there is not a significant child l labor issue in Thailand, but if you want to include helping parents in agriculture, then all measurement is impossible.

Kids going to school but helping parents out does not represent child labor.

[DocN]

I am surprised...if not shocked...about what many of you are writing here.

This is not the USA (or Europe)...so child labor is somehow...okay???

Helping the family and a fulltime job under extremely poor conditions (f.e. selling flowers on a busy street in Bangkok with no shoes on your feet) is somehow the same thing???

It is okay for a kid to work under inhumane conditions...as long as it is not sex- work???

Your dad being an a-hole on Sundays is somehow the same as 17 hours in a factory all day???

Sorry, but ....seriously, guys???

Working full time on the streets of course isn't ok, but, what percentage does this entail of all kids in Thailand? Very small.

There are very few factories employing kids and the kids talked about as being on building sites are often not Thai. i believe that there is not a significant child l labor issue in Thailand, but if you want to include helping parents in agriculture, then all measurement is impossible.

Kids going to school but helping parents out does not represent child labor.

let me get this right: if a family can not afford school anymore and is taking a 12 year old into the rice- fields all day long...is that "helping parents in agriculture"? Then of course I am sorry...a 17 hours day in a rice- paddy is EXACTLY what a 12 year old should do!

[saroq]

And what do people think these children should be doing if not working to earn some pocket money? Hanging around in the toilets of a Pattaya department store! Stealing! Pick pocketing! Then spending the cash in video arcades or online games.

As long as it is not forced labor, the hours are within reason, and the work not overly strenuous I see nothing wrong with a child working. I worked from the age of 13 washing cars & boats on Saturdays and school holidays. Friends delivered newspapers or groceries. Earning our own money gave us a lot of self esteem plus we all turned out OK. None of us felt abused or taken advantage of.

Every weekend of my childhood I was woken at 5am, fed breakfast, loaded into the back of a truck and delivered to which ever place of work it had been decided I would work at that day. I was loaded back into the truck sometime between 6 or 6:30pm and was at home by 7pm. I received no wages for my work and plenty of abuse. They didn't call it forced labor or child labor back then it was called spending time with your father.

Are you comparing your childhood weekends (I imagine that you were in school during the week!) with your father with the seven-day-a-week work schedule of these uneducated children?

My post was tongue in cheek. I don't recommend the type of childhood experience I had as a way of treating children. However, there are two points I'd make. The first is that we can't apply Western values to every situation in Thailand. While my father was an A-hole who used labor as a way of punishing his children that's not the case for many families in Thailand. The work their children do contributes to the survival of the family unit. Secondly, a child working isn't necessarily cruel or even detrimental as other contributors have explained. To be clear: I don't support exploitive child labor and common sense should tell you which situations those are.

[Thai at Heart]

I am surprised...if not shocked...about what many of you are writing here.

This is not the USA (or Europe)...so child labor is somehow...okay???

Helping the family and a fulltime job under extremely poor conditions (f.e. selling flowers on a busy street in Bangkok with no shoes on your feet) is somehow the same thing???

It is okay for a kid to work under inhumane conditions...as long as it is not sex- work???

Your dad being an a-hole on Sundays is somehow the same as 17 hours in a factory all day???

Sorry, but ....seriously, guys???

Working full time on the streets of course isn't ok, but, what percentage does this entail of all kids in Thailand? Very small.

There are very few factories employing kids and the kids talked about as being on building sites are often not Thai. i believe that there is not a significant child l labor issue in Thailand, but if you want to include helping parents in agriculture, then all measurement is impossible.

Kids going to school but helping parents out does not represent child labor.

let me get this right: if a family can not afford school anymore and is taking a 12 year old into the rice- fields all day long...is that "helping parents in agriculture"? Then of course I am sorry...a 17 hours day in a rice- paddy is EXACTLY what a 12 year old should do!

Having worked in agribusiness here the overwhelming majority go to school and help out after school and weekend. That is not child labor.

[Daewoo]

<snip>The work their children do contributes to the survival of the family unit. Secondly, a child working isn't necessarily cruel or even detrimental as other contributors have explained. To be clear: I don't support exploitive child labor and common sense should tell you which situations those are.

Nicely put...

I am not sure if the 'do-gooders' get it all wrong, or if it is just reported badly... I am sure that in their fields the 'do-gooders' are not only well intentioned, but also educated and skilled...

Some responsible US companies have set it up so that kids for instance have to attend (company funded) schooling to be able to work... best of both worlds for the kids, and usually well within the ability for gross margin per unit produced to absorb... unfortunately those same companies have to compete with other companies that don't have the same compulsion to do the right thing...