The Philippines has been facing the problem of Child Labor since back then. All through out the history of the world, children were known to be the servants and the apprentices but yet Child Labor has it extremes during the Industrial Revolution. Children were said to be useful for labors because their size is small thus making them an advantage than the adults where they can fit in small spaces in the factories and unlike adults, children can manage their emotions and they can be paid less. In the Philippines’ era, child labor has been one of the main problems since the early twentieth century. But, in 1946 when the Philippines declared its freedom and claimed ones independence, the Philippines became an official Republic. Having this advantage, the Philippines then made a law that is against Child Labors. One of the laws that they made, that is really significant is the power of the Secretary of Labour to grant or accept one’s permit for the allotment of the child to work. 1953 and 1960 are the years that the Philippines signed or ratified three international conventions that were adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO), that is related to Child Labor. In these conventions, it made laws that exemplifies or prohibits the employment of children during night time, it also fixed the minimum age of employment for industry which is 15 years old but it also allowed younger children to be employed also with the consent of the family members who are also employed, it should also give works that would not affect one’s life of the children and it won’t affect the health and morals of the children and one is required to take a medical examination, in order for the children to be employed. Even though that these laws were made, it won’t stop and this is still one of the main problems here in the society of the Philippines. On June 17, 1922 the Philippines had a mandate with the UN (United Nations) and this where the R.A. 7610, “An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination, Providing Penalties for its Violation and for Other Purposes” is made. This law is promoted to one’s child labor and its welfare especially those who are experiencing difficult situations. While recently, in 2003 the Philippines passed a new law, which is known as R.A. 9231 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”. This law limits the employment of children below the age of 15 years old with added restrictions regarding the number of work hours of the children, the provisions on expanding one’s children access to education, social and medications. There are many laws that were passed on until today, but yet Child Labor is still one of the main problems here in the society of the Philippines and it is one’s job and the government’s job to exemplify it.
References:
History.com Editors. (2009, October 27). Child Labor. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution/child-labor
Streissguth, T. (2017, November 21). What State Was First to Pass Laws Forbidding Child Labor? Retrieved from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/state-first-pass-laws-forbidding-child-labor-64216.html
Child labour in the Philippines (ILO in the Philippines). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/manila/areasofwork/child-labour/lang--en/index.htm
Public urged to report child labor cases through DOLE Hotline. (2016, April 14). Retrieved from https://www.eaglenews.ph/public-urged-to-report-child-labor-cases-through-dole-hotline/
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