Child labor in The Oriental Rug Industry

It is no secret that these beautiful Oriental Rugs are sometimes being made by children. There are some companies who are truly not into this practice, so if the concern is there when making your choice for a rug it is important to ask. With thorough investigation, you are able to find a truthful and reliable rug dealer that is up and up with the information. If you are suspicious about any dealer, don’t go into business with them.

There are some countries within the Orient that still condone the practice; even though it has been outlawed. The governments have implemented strict guidelines on these practices for them to stop, but many rug manufacturers continue.

Pakistan is one such country that still uses these helpless children to work within the Oriental Rug industry. It is reported that there are over 300,000 children working within the rug industry, while in countries like Afghanistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Uzbekistan, they have outlawed the practice. Bangladesh is one such country that even though it is still being practiced is striving to eradicate the practice. The law does not seek to enforce the penalties which govern the practice, so it continues. Many rug manufacturers are putting things in place to help needy families to stop having their children to not work.

Women are being employed so as to have the children get an education to better their futures while helping to build these communities in which the rug factories are located.

How the Child labor System Began

It is important to note that child labor goes back centuries. It started because families needed money to survive, and because there is no way to repay the loans they receive, they bond out their children to work. The businesses are not keen on releasing the children as it is cheaper than adult employment, so the children stay. Working conditions are horrible; as they get little or no nourishing meals while working as long as 12 hours or more daily. Medical benefits are none, and if a child becomes ill on the job, they are just tossed out on the streets to take care of themselves; while employing another. There is no shortage of this kind of labor, as the population has grown to burst seams and the government cannot manage. Education is limited, and because of this, it is easier to have the children work because it is the only paying work available for uneducated persons.

The practice becomes a generational tradition unless there is someone to break the cycle within the family.

Organizations that Help

CARE & FAIR is one such organization which seeks to help. They have put in place labor-licensing systems to force the rug manufacturers to cease from child employment; thus, they have to employ full adults for the jobs. Children are taken out of the Oriental Rug manufacturing factories and sent to school; which the foundation pays for.

Knowledge is power, and if all stakeholders within the world help in the fight for the children suffering under these horrendous conditions there is hope. Knowing there is even one child that has to work 12 hours a day, 7 days per week to make not even enough to buy a loaf of bread the cost in the United States, is enough to help. Let them not remain a statistic but are helped to become the leaders and future nation builders of tomorrow.