Child Labor in the 20th Century and Beyond

We are guaranteed certain rights in Canada in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but it wasn't always that way.  During the Industrial Revolution laws and rights of individuals were not always protected.  Children were forced to work in unsafe conditions, subjected to long hours for little or no pay.  This still happens today in parts of the world.  That is why we pay so little for many of our retail goods in Canada - they are imported from countries where children are not protected.

Assignment (50 marks).

On the internet research current child labor problems and abuses at the following sites:
 
 

http://www.corpwatch.org/search.php

http://www.ftcindia.org/

http://www.laborrights.org/projects/foulball/index/html

http://www.hrw.org/

http://www.rugmark.org/

http://www.vachss.com/help_text/child_labor.html

From one of the web sites above, choose a current situation where children are improperly treated.  For 15 marks summarize the situation in 50 -100 words:

• where is the abuse taking place
• what are the conditions the children work in
• any other interesting information worth reporting

Print the table below and fill it in showing the response of the different groups and how they view each of the child labor issues:
(35 marks) .When completed, turn in both your chart and the summary paragraph for marking.

	Business Owner	Union Boss	Child	Parent	Politician
Working Conditions
Education
Safety
Rate of Pay
Hours of Work
Hours of Work per Week
Breaks

View pictures of child labor