Child labor - to be or not to be?

There is a major debate raging across the world. The epicenter comes from Bolivia. The newly elected third time President Morales has legalized child labor age at 10 years. This means it is legitimate in Bolivia for children of 10 years of age to be employed and they get legal protection like other child laborers. Around the world, the legal age is 14 years, Mexico as raised it to 15 but this bringing down the bar to 10 years has shaken up the world.

The President defended his stand saying that it is politically incorrect to talk about child labour but the harsh reality is that 42% of Bolivia’s population is poor and 58% of the child labor force is below the age of 14. So his logic is when this is the reality, why play this hypocrisy of 14 years legality; it would be better to accept the truth and instead give protection to children whose financial conditions force them to work at age 10. Thus as per law in Bolivia, children starting at age 12 who have parental consent can work under contract and those from age 10 may be self-employed, as long as both stay in school.

Those against this law are naturally worried that children might stop going to school and thus perpetuate the circle of poverty. And there are health hazards too. Also children working on piles of dirty dishes or selling bus tickets or clothes, could get so tired that even if they attend school, they might not be able to cope with both.

Well the debate now rages wild. In India too we see child labor. It is poverty which forces these children to work. So what do you think – should one legalise child labor as it anyway happens or should one get more vigilant?