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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri

Time: 11:46 am

Results for forced labor, children

2 results found

Author: Porio, Emma

Title: The Use of Children in the Production, Sales and Trafficking of Drugs: A Synthesis of Participatory Action-Oriented Research Programs in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand

Summary: Since the 1990s, the use, sale, and production of illegal drugs have become a major issue in the region. In Jakarta, Indonesia, about 70 locations in the city have been pinpointed by the police as centers or “hot spots” for drug supply/trade. In the early 1990s, the Philippines was just a major transshipment point for drugs but became a net producer and exporter by the late 1990s. Thailand is one of the world’s major producing regions in the world, with the infamous “Golden Triangle” in the north bordering Myanmar and Laos has been the center for drug trade and production for generations. Reports have found a significant number of children have been found to be engaged in illicit drug use, sale, and trafficking in the Asia-Pacific region particularly in Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. ILO Convention 182 (on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour) considers the use of children in illicit activities, such as the use of children in the production, sales, and trafficking of drugs, as one of the worst forms of child labour (WFCL). Dangers and risks faced by children engaged in the drug trade go beyond the physical, psychological and mental disorders prevalent among drug-addicted children. Children in the drug trade/trafficking (CDT) are exposed and initiated to the world of illegal activities and criminality. Once involved, they are inextricably linked to situations of tensions, fear, suspicion and conflicts and are quite vulnerable to harassment and exploitation by both drug dealers and the police. Aside from the oppressive conditions of criminality, the engagement of children in drug-related activities is also linked to problems and tensions in their families, peer networks, and communities. Ultimately, the engagement of children/youth in the WFCL like drug sales/ trafficking, compromises their future and that of the nation. Children involved in drug sales and trafficking are difficult to trace and identify, as is often the case with other worst forms of child labour. Social and political sensitivity to the issue, the illegal and hidden nature of the trade, and the associated security risks and the potential difficulties in addressing the problem, make it necessary to use a cautious and processbased approach. ILO Convention 182 calls for ILO member countries to take steps to eliminate the worst forms of child labour as a matter of urgency. Yet, timely and appropriate interventions can only come about if there is already sufficient understanding of this problem. To this end, the International Labour Organization’s International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (ILO-IPEC), started executing a participatory action-oriented research (PAOR) project (hereinafter, the project) in Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand in September 2002.1 The project aimed to develop and demonstrate an action-oriented research methodology that provides better understanding and information on the use of children in the production, sales, and distribution of illegal drugs. In the course of conducting the research, the project also aimed to reach children at risk as well as those involved in drugs through community organizing/ mobilization, training, advocacy, counseling, referrals, and networking/ linkages. At the end of the project, it also aimed to propose models of interventions for future replication or adaptation in other areas.

Details: International Labour Office, International Program on the Elimination of Child Labour (ILO/IPEC), 2004. 101p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 18, 2012 at http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/documents/publication/wcms_bk_pb_24_en.pdf

Year: 2004

Country: Asia

URL: http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/documents/publication/wcms_bk_pb_24_en.pdf

Shelf Number: 98315

Keywords:
Child Exploitation
Child Labor (Indonesia) (the Philippines) (Thailan
Drug Trafficking
Forced Labor, Children

Author: International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

Title: Forced Labour: Mini Action Guide

Summary: Forced labour is often associated with slavery. That is correct. Forced labour is therefore often associated with the past. This is incorrect. Forced labour continues to manifest itself in new forms throughout the world, and certain contemporary forms are even increasing in numbers of victims in a context of globalisation and increased migration. The ILO made a very conservative minimum estimate in 2005 stating that at any given moment 12.3 million people are working in forced labour conditions. The way in which forced labour is used is constantly changing. The legislation abolishing slavery two centuries ago may have abolished formal slavery and legal ownership of certain people over others; however, in practice forced labour has never been eradicated. Workers in forced labour today loose their freedom of movement through more indirect and less obvious mechanisms such as debt bondage, serfdom, indentured labour, etc. At the same time there are still some persistent vestiges of traditional slavery in certain parts of Africa, and the difference between a modernday domestic worker abused, exploited and locked up in a private home or bonded labourers on remote farms or working with brick kilns and traditional slaves may in practice be smaller than we like to think. Forced labour is a truly global problem affecting every region and all countries in the world whether industrialised or developing, rich or poor. Labour intensive and unregulated industries are affected the most: agriculture, domestic work, construction, mining, quarrying and brick kilns, manufacturing processing and packaging, entertainment and prostitution. Forced labour constitutes the antithesis to decent work and violates all core labour standards. Forced labourers are often victims of discrimination based on ethnicity or sex, and cultural preconceptions about inferiority of certain groups of people are therefore – together with economic hardship – the main root causes of the entire phenomenon. Up to 50 percent of all forced labour victims are children in forced child labour, a “worst forms of child labour”. These workers are under extreme exploitation and often isolated from their peers. Freedom of association and the right to organise will seem a distant dream to them – let alone their right to collective bargaining. Trade unions in most countries around the world are campaigning for decent work for all. We cannot be serious about this if we still allow forced labour and human trafficking to foster in every country around the world.

Details: Brussels, Belgium: ITUC International Trade Union Confederation, 2008. 50p.

Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 17, 2012 at http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/guide_forced_labour_EN.pdf

Year: 2008

Country: International

URL: http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/guide_forced_labour_EN.pdf

Shelf Number: 124997

Keywords:
Debt Bondage
Forced Labor
Forced Labor, Children
Human Trafficking
Labor Exploitation