Apple, H&M, Primark, Nestle..so many world renowned brands have been accused of using child labour. Trying to figure out the ethics behind this. Yes, in an ideal world kids would be at school, not at a factory putting together the sequins for a top to be sold at Primark. But what if that family has no means to send that child to school? A child should never have to worry about helping the family to afford their next meal but what if that little they get paid helps? If it improves the conditions of the family, with the little contribution that they make. Are there parts of this practice that you deem to be acceptable? Maybe it's just the conditions in which they work that need improving? Dim lighting, long unsociable hours, dangerous buildings etc. Or do you think they're kids, they should remain that way and be kept completely away from the world of labour at such a young age?
And who does the buck stop with? The parents of the child, the companies, the government that maybe needs to do more and have better schemes in place to stop such practices? Or maybe me and you to stop visiting these store and put some pressure on them to change their ways? Think back to the Rana Plaza incident..more than 1,000 people died. I happened to pop in to the Oxford Street Primark last week, still as busy as ever.
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