SWEET HAZARDS - Terre des Hommes

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of the underlying study. Furthermore, thefield research is complemented by andcrosschecked with the findings of similarstudies conducted by other organizations andgovernment agencies.This report begins with an exploration ofchild labor. By determining what child laboris and which forms it takes, chapter oneprovides the broader context in which theresearch is placed. The report then focuses onthe situation on the sugarcane plantations inthe Philippines. What is the role that childrenfulfill in the production of sugar and why dothey work? Because the acceptability ofchildren’s work is subject to internationalrules and standards, the fourth chapter takesa closer look at the hazards of the work inthe fields. Chapter five explores the responsesof the different stakeholders to child laborand their responsibilities in resolving theissue in the sugarcane plantations of thePhilippines. Finally, conclusions are drawn onthe nature of children’s work on thesugarcane plantations and somerecommendations are given for improving thesituation for these children and futuregenerations.2
2. Child laborConcern over children’s well being in relationto the work they perform makes theinternational community determined to tacklechild labor. But what is child labor? Whichkinds of work do we perceive as normal forchildren, and which kinds of work areabsolutely not suitable for minors? Theinternational child labor debate has beengoing on for several decades now, resultingin different definitions and approaches. First,the International Labor Organization (ILO)set minimum ages in its convention 138.Agreement was sought over the age at whichwork can be allowed as a necessary or evenuseful part of young people’s lives. Alleconomic activity performed under theminimum ages is perceived as ‘child labor’ bythe ILO.Choosing a different line of thought, theUN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) defines child labor not so much in strictage-related terms, but more in terms of workthat threatens a child’s development. Itstresses that adults should protect childrenfrom this threat:“State parties recognize the right of thechild to be protected from economicexploitation and from performing any workthat is likely to be hazardous or to interferewith the child’s education, or to be harmfulto the child’s health or physical, mental,spiritual, moral or social development.” 3Child labor is viewed by the UN as work thathinders a child in his or her enjoyment ofchildren’s rights. As the UN CRC is signed andratified by almost all countries in the world 4 ,states are bound to take measures againsteconomic exploitation and other harmfulforms of work. Even though the UN CRC maybe very all-encompassing on the issue ofchildren’s economic exploitation, states needclear definitions on what it is exactly thatthey want to tackle when drawing laws and3 UN CRC article 324 Exceptions are the United States and Somalia.policies to protect children from laborexploitation. By amending the UN CRC withtwo Optional Protocols – one on prostitution,pornography and the sale of children, theother on the use of child soldiers – the UNCRC goes into details on at least two forms ofexploitation that affect children worldwide.Still it is the ILO that provides states withthe most comprehensive series of definitions,drawing lines between child work, child laborand worst forms of child labor. In this respect,the ILO plays a major role in setting theagenda for child labor issues worldwide. Itconsiders child labor to be“work situations where children arecompelled to work on a regular basis to earna living for themselves and their families,and as a result are disadvantagededucationally and socially; where childrenwork in conditions that are exploitative anddamaging to their health and to theirphysical and mental development; wherechildren are separated from their families;often deprived of educational and trainingopportunities; where children are forced tolead prematurely adult lives” 5Other situations where children work – forinstance helping their parents in thehousehold for a few hours every week – arenot considered child labor but merely childwork. In an attempt to give more impetus tothe abolition of child labor the ILO furtherdistinguishes between child labor and the socalled‘worst forms of child labor’ inConvention 182 (1999):a) slavery or practices similar toslavery (such as child traffickingand debt bondage)b) prostitution and pornographyc) illicit activities (like drug trade)d) work which is likely to harm thehealth, safety or morals ofchildren 65 In: Albada et al. (200?)6 ILO C182 Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention, 19993
Page 1: SWEET HAZARDSChild labor on sugarca
Page 4 and 5: Terre des HommesTerre des Hommes Ne
Page 7 and 8: ForewordAs a child rights organizat
Page 9: 1. IntroductionAs a child rights or
Page 13: to an end immediately. However, whe
Page 16 and 17: domestic market, as well as on the
Page 18 and 19: perspective the people on the hacie
Page 20 and 21: it. In the first few months of the
Page 22 and 23: that their children are exposed to.
Page 24 and 25: However, deciding on the wages is n
Page 26 and 27: the observations in this research.
Page 29 and 30: 5. ConclusionIn the international c
Page 33 and 34: Annex 1: LiteratureAlbada, Fernando
Page 35: Annex 2: List of interviewsLeyteOrm
Page 38 and 39: money on consulting a medical offic
Page 40 and 41: But even if protective clothing wou

SWEET HAZARDS - Terre des Hommes

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