What can you do about child labor?
In the face of new reports, one asks oneself again: “What can one do about child labor?” Donations of money are not always required for such campaigns. Here it is simply a matter of taking action. Here's what you can do.
What you can do as a consumer against child labor
As long as consumers buy products created by child labor in the developing world, you support child labor. It is only when you vehemently boycott these products that a slow but existing change will occur.
- Buy products from fair trade or with a social seal. One-world stores offer 100% products that are made without child labor.
- Find bulk consumers and encourage them to use products with the fair trade and social seal. It would be possible to serve TransFair coffee in canteens and encourage schools to buy fair trade toys.
- Contact trading companies and ask them to claim basic labor rights from their suppliers.
- Participate in projects against child labor.
- Go to your own children's schools and kindergartens and give lectures on the subject. This is how you sensitize even the youngest ones.
Aid organizations against child labor - a selection
Child labor is a terrible thing, but unfortunately it is represented worldwide. Currently at …
What you as an entrepreneur can do against child labor
- Demand from your suppliers that they pay your employees living wages, sign permanent employment contracts and grant social benefits.
- Check if your suppliers have children. If this is the case, agree on improvements with your suppliers, which must be implemented within a set deadline. So children have to be replaced by adult workers. If suppliers fail to adhere to the agreements, report the grievances to human rights organizations and terminate the supplier contract.
- If entire states allow children to work, you should not buy or sell anything in those countries.
With the answer to the question “What can you do about child labor?” You can now make your own, albeit small, contribution.
