China is all set to become the next economic giant who will display its extravagance in the forthcoming Beijing Olympic Games but there is a dark side of China plagued in poverty and illiteracy. For 3.5 Yuan ($0.50) thousands of Chinese children are forced to work in kilns, mines, garments and textiles factories, fireworks and toys industries, for at least 300 hours a month. These children are working as slaves who have been sold by their parents or abject poverty has forced these children to volunteer for the life of bonded labor. While Communist Beijing and Shanghai are shining, Guangdong, Shanxi, Henan, Sichuan, and many other provinces in China have become a booming market for slavery and child labor.

The Chinese government had announced last year a nationwide crackdown on slavery and child labor but nothing much has been accomplished. Hundreds of poor farmers, children and mentally disabled people are forced to work in kilns and mines. The exact number of child labors in China is unknown, as the Chinese government does not allow information to be acquired directly from the country. Most China watchers conclude that child labor is increasing in the country as is evident from the high dropout rate from schools and the hasty expansion of foreign investment dependent export oriented enterprises. There is increased evidence that schoolchildren are becoming part of the growing work force in China.

Despite of Chinese laws forbidding employment of children, the enforcement of the child labor laws is sometimes made difficult by counterfeit identification cards. Compulsory education is required in China up to 16 years of age but it is unfortunate that the Chinese government in spite of its Communist manifesto and keenness to subjugate the Tibetans is not bothered about its children leading a life of drudgery.

Via: Reuters