Rights

"Describe a right that relates to your issue? How do you know it's a right? Does everyone agree it is a right? Why or why not?"
First, I would like to take a moment to identify some of the rights related to child labor:

- right to work

- right to an education

- right to control oneself

- right to socialize

- right to receive payment

- right to be happy

- right to be safe from physical, emotional, and sexual harm

- right to free speech
- right to do as one desires

- right to good health

and most important....

The Right to FREEDOM

The "right to freedom" is the most widely used reason by activists to eliminate the use of child labor. This right is an overall right in that it includes the other rights listed in it's definition. The dictionary defines freedom as the exemption from outside control, influence, and confinement--the individual is in control of his or her own life. This right is considered a normative right in that it is a right that ought to be able to have and expect from other citizens and the government. This right could be seen as deriving from religion, morality, natural law, or rationality, and it does not derive from power. This is a right that people should not have to actively claim nor the government officials have to back up. Sadly, these children are deprived of their freedom as they follow the commands of their "employers".

Freedom is considered a right because it includes the elements necessary [to be considered a right]: a definition of relationships, an official statement, a process for determining contested rights, and a remedy. The relationship between "employer" and child laborer is defined as complete dominance of the "employer" over the child; where as, those who claim that everyone deserves to be free argue that such a relationship should not exist and that the child should maintain control of himself or herself. As for official statement, most countries' governments have laws prohibiting the use of child labor. The process for determining the absence of freedom is to seek out those who are unable to do the things they want do because they are told not to, show fear of those who tell them what to do, are unhappy, and are unable to leave. The best remedy would be to arrest those who take an individual's freedom while also rehabilitating the indivdual so that he or she can gain the skills necessary to lead independent lifestyles.

Everyone agrees that freedom is a right because freedom enables us to do the things we want to do. Without freedom, we lose our characteristically human qualities of being able to make our own mistakes, having choices, and being socially influenced by various mediums as well as by our peers, family, and other people in our lives. I have yet to meet a person that believes that freedom is not a right.

FREEDOM is a RIGHT in that IT ENABLES US TO CHOOSE THE LIFE WE LIVE.

Rules

"What are the rules that govern behavior of the targets in your issue? Are they good or bad rules? Do they accomplish their purpose? How can they be improved upon?"

Within government precise rules as well as rules of thumb are present in relation to child labor. Every government has specific laws, or precise rules, that are used to regulate the actions of the country's citizens. Most countries have laws against the use of child labor; yet, it continues in these countries everyday. Why is that? How is it that governments provide precise rules, but continue to see illegal actions take place? Is not the purpose of these precise rules to eliminate child labor practices?

Those citizens who "employ" children are fully aware of these laws, but choose to disregard them. In disregarding these laws, "employers" actively seek out underage workers who they can exploit for their own benefit. These "employers" simply see these children as a source of cheap labor, often only providing minimal amounts of food and shelter. These children are threatened, placed in unhealthy environments, abused, and told that they must repay the debt they continue to accumulate by being supplied with food and shelter. Yes, today's child laborers are subject to bondage slavery. How is the government allowing this to happen? Isn't government supposed to enforce its laws?
Those who write the laws are not those who enforce them. Those who enforce the laws are the officials, such as police officers. The officials are expected to make decisions based on the rules of thumb. Cases of child labor differ from each other. Many cases often include, but are not limited to, instances of human trafficking, violent abuse, hazardous environments, slander, physical labor (i.e. brick-laying, mining, agriculture), domestic work, and prostitution. With officers basing their decisions on rule of thumb, they are often easily bought into not doing anything in response to illegal use of child labor. "Employers" work hard to keep child laborers by keeping the children hidden, paying officers to not react, and even offering the officers sexual favors from the young girls (and occasionally boys). This is where the trouble with government lies. The officials who are to find these criminals fall short in doing their duty of protecting the rights of the children in that they willingly overlook the their treatment in order to gain some form of satisfaction. They let their desires fog their judgment, causing many children to remain working for their "employers".

On the other side of this policy issue, we see activists and interest groups utilizing vague rules to appeal to the general public and government officials. They use vague statements to promote the idea that no one other than the "employers" would be negatively affected by policy eliminating child labor. To gain support, these groups use numbers, emotional appeal (i.e. "Would you let this happen to your kids?!"), and facts to emphasize how great the issue is and simply state that children need to be removed from such situations and reintegrated into society. By being vague, they eliminate the primary instances of people quickly turning away with the notion that the cause would cost them much-- after all, not many people are immediately drawn to things that require them to give a lot of their money. Through the use of vague rules, activists are able to utilize their own talents as means to help these children. Some examples include Musicians raising money for rehabilitating children through concerts, writers telling the stories of the children, therapists providing treatment to the children, and lobbyists asserting their groups concern for the children. Vague rules open many possible actions that can be taken by individuals concerned with these children's welfare. Looking at all that vague rules enable activists to do, it is clear that this type of rule is beneficial in producing long-term results.

Those who make laws and those who enforce laws need to work more closely to ensure that officials are making ethical decisions. It is difficult to ensure that officers are acting appropriately in that they are expected to use good judgment in evaluating these "employers". With the power to arrest or receive favors, these officers are vulnerable to corruption which could lead them to go against their duty. This issue would need to be approached bottom-up in that the interest groups and activists would need to gain supporters, and they would need to convince government officials that policy change is absolutely necessary as well as that officers need to be re-evaluated in regards to ethical action.

VAGUE RULES would be the MOST BENEFICIAL.

Inducements Vs. Sanctions

"What policy tools would help improve policy outcomes on the issue you care about? Would inducements be better than sanctions? "

In the case of child labor, sanctions would be more effective than inducements in that the "employers" see greater benefit in continuing to use child labor because it keeps their costs down. These regulatory tools are best used against the "employers" in that they need to receive punishment that can act as a reinforcement in not "hiring" young children. These "employers" would most likely respond well to jail-time rather than fines. If fines were placed on them they could simply pay then continue using the children and hide the illegal employment more carefully. They need to experience what it is like to have their rights infringed upon. This is the only way we can get some kind of positive response from the "employers".

As for the children, redistributive tools are necessary in that, through donations, we are able to rehabilitate these children. They require a shelter in which they can receive medical attention, undergo therapy, and learn necessary social skills to lead independent lifestyles. The children can, thus, be reintegrated into society.

In the issue of child labor, it is necessary to use both sanctions and inducements. Sanctions work to enforce not using child labor and inducements work to encourage people to donate money used to rehabilitate children. The inducements often include promoting ethical practices and triggering emotional responses.

Targets

"How are the targets of your policy study constructed? How does this affect policy? What if the targets got to use their "local knolwedge" to make policy on their own?"



The targets of my policy issue consist of child laborers, their "employers", activists, and governments. Child laborers and activists aim to eliminate the use of child labor practices and reintegrate the children into a healthier lifestyle in which they receive an education, a home, food, and the opportunity to be independent as adults. The "employers" aim to keep their cheap labor through threats and false claims (i.e. "If you leave, you will be arrested and beaten by police"). While each government differs, most governments have laws against the use of child labor, but typically do not enforce the laws fully. Each target, works to change the actions of the other targets.
The activists work on behalf of the child laborers to educate the general public, with intent to gain more supporters, and to influence the government. Meanwhile, the "employeers" hide the children as well as frighten them into not escaping. When the governments become involved, they (typically) seek out unfair labor practices and prosecute the "employers". The actions of the activists along with those of the governments could diminish the use of child labor, but the "employers" make the task difficult. The policy issue can only be solved if the activists pursue government intervention.
As for the targets using "local knowledge", it could be beneficial, but it is necessary that all targets, except the "employers", use their "local knowledge". If only activists used it, permanent policy changes would be impossible. If only the government used it, there is not a guarantee that the necessary changes would be made. It is necessary that these two targets come together to work against "employers".

Interesting

"Who are the interests involved in your issue? Which interests should be involved that aren't? Should you classmates be involved in your issue? Why aren't they if they should?"

First and foremost, the child laborers are affected. Forced labor affects every aspect of these children's lives. Their mental, emotional, and physical state are endangered by the everyday occurrences within child labor-- this sense of well being is the main interest of these children. What kind of lives can these children have if their safety and health are at stake? Definitely not a "good" life... Sadly, these children's conception of the "good life" is probably one in which they don't have to worry about their next meal, can have a comfortable bed to sleep in, can go to school, and don't have to fear any form of abuse. They WANT A LIFE.

Three other interests in this issue are governments, the "employer", and interest groups working toward the elimination of child labor. The importance of child labor differs by individual governments. Most governments have laws in place that set a minimum working age; however, in the example of Uzbekistan, we see the government using its authority to override the law so it can use children as a source of free labor. Most governments have intentions of protecting children, but some, as is the case with Uzbekistan, overlook child protection laws for their own benefit and other countries are not proactive in seeking out individuals who exploit children through forced labor. Child labor is of interest to government in that its treatment of its MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS, children, affects the image of the country portrayed to other countries, support of citizens and non-citizens, and the efficiency of the government in the years to come.

As for the "employer", his or her interest is in keeping the child as a source of cheap labor. This individual seeks to prevent the child from being removed so the child can continue to work long hours and to remain a source of cheap labor. The "employer" doesn't care about the child's well-being; his or her main concern is MAXIMIZING PROFITS. Quite the opposite, interest groups work toward ENDING the use child labor, REHABILITATING former child laborers, PROSECUTING the "employers", and REINTEGRATING these children into normal lifestyles. Interest groups often push governments to take a more "hands-on" approach in finding unfair employment practices and prosecuting offenders. Interest groups want to give the children control over their own lives.

One group of people who should be interested in this issue are the children's families. True, some families want to save their children from mistreat and simply cannot; however, other families are simply unaware of what their children are experiencing. These families need to be educated on the effects of child labor so they can be wary of "employers" seeking to hire their young children. The families need to take a close look at what they might be subjecting their children to, if it is absolutely necessary that the children support their families. These families should first have the eldest work and the children get an education, but some families are at the lowest level of poverty and absolutely need the children to work as well-- they need to be aware of actual working conditions beforehand. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to see how these working conditions actually are, but we can hope that families would look out for the well being of their children.

I think it is important for my classmates to be involved. With human rights issues, it is typically more effective to have more people involved. I am not saying that all students need to be human rights activists, but rather, I believe that they should at minimum show some concern. I would love to see my classmates having discussions about the need to end the use of child labor (as well as other forms of modern slavery), but I just ask that they spread the word. The first step in ending said practices is educating the public and providing ways of taking action whether it be just asking them to tell their friends or even join non-profit organizations fighting against such practices. They DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING TO HELP.

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On a side note:

I am currently a Young Ambassador for the Not For Sale Project in Cambodia. I ask that everyone reading this blog post at least look at this website and tell their friends about it:

https://nfs.webconnex.com/giving/sarapressey

The website has information on the Cambodia Project, and you can even donate a few dollars, but as I said you don't have to donate anything-- I would just like more people to know about the website so we can find more people to donate to the cause. So, please tell people about it. The Young Ambassador Program requests that Young Ambassadors get at least 20 donations of $5 a month-- so the more people who know, the better!