Westernized societies have become much more aware and concerned with the issues surrounding child labour in developing countries. Child labour conflicts with Western discourses of childhood. Liebel argues, that because children aren’t considered full participants of society under existing law, they are left voiceless in matters that directly affect them. Specifically in this article, organizations of working children struggle to be understood to avoid exploitation in their workplaces.

For our first activity, we want you to gather into groups and discuss the different discourses of childhood. (venn diagram)

As you can see, oftentimes Westernized discourses conflict with the discourses associated with contexts of child labour. We can see dramatic differences between them. Therefore it is difficult to come up with a universal standard for working children.

In many countries where child labour is high, children have joined together to form unions to express their ideas on what they think are appropriate child rights. Children were mostly aged 12-16, many of who worked in the informal sector. Many were either immigrants or children of immigrants. Many of these children live in impoverished conditions that put their health and basic human rights at risk. Some of these organizations have come up with lists of basic rights for every child, including those who are working. The CRC accepts most of these rights, with the exception of any right dealing with work. The children demanded the right to work.

Why do you the CRC does not fully develop specific working rights and standards for children? (discuss in groups)

Do you think that working rights should be included in the CRC? (or omitted) Article 32 of the CRC says “States Parties recognize the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is