Chua, John Albert B.

BHR 1101 TTH 9:00 – 10:30

"Silhig" Reflection Paper

The Standard age for a minor to be applicable to labor is considered fifteen years and
more. Minors falling below this age restriction will not be granted to indulge in any type of labor
strenuously for the reason that child labor seizes away the children’s convenience or freedom of
having an ordinary childhood, proper education, and a physical and mental well-being.

Child Labor takes place mostly in countries that have a lot of poverty and unemployment.
People, most especially the parents, who were not able to have proper education will
conclusively require their children to work. The ignorant only pay attention to short-term
problems and results which is the reason as to why they require their children to do labor for
them to survive their present.

If I were to be able to do something about it, I would propose to ensure the child’s health and
safety by identifying the risks and threats that affect both physical and mental well-being of the
child like what happened to Angelo regarding with the form of his legs and how it affects his
way of walking normally. Another proposal would be to give children proper safety equipment
or attire while doing these heavy tasks which can be a huge factor in helping the children’s
health and safety.

In most places, children who are working are more exposed to having diseases or
affecting their health which also affects their way of thinking, this happens because most
children working are found in rural areas and is mostly involved with agricultural, which is the
largest employer of child labor.

I would also like to revise Section A, Article 137 of Labor Code Provisions on Young
Workers which stated that “no child below fifteen (15) years of age shall be employed, except
when he works directly under the sole responsibility of his parents or guardians, and his
employment does not in any way interfere with schooling.” My revised version would be that
“no child below fifteen (15) years of age shall be employed” and only ends there. I would not
want parents to ask assistance from their own children and risk their health just because they
failed to financially aid in their livelihood. It is the responsibility of the parent to do better in
their work or to find a better work if their current work is not enough when it comes to family
support. Not all parents know better.

I would not ban child labor, but I also would not recommend that you do it. From my
understanding and after watching the documentary video, many parents abuse Section A of
Article 137 regarding with the exemption of letting minors work under the parent’s supervision.
Some parents would even let their children work starting at the age of 5 and in the documentary,
it mentioned that the boy started working at the age of 9 and has already worked for 3 years
making him 11 years old as of 2018. I would only recommend that one allows the child to
partake in labor such that the child wishes to be in and is in proper care from the parent.

After having to watch the documentary “Silhig”, I felt gloomy and resent with the
situation. I felt gloomy considering the fact that these children are not able to live out their youth
and most of them encounter health issues or factors that affect their body. I also resent the
parents of these children as to what thinking lead to these decisions of theirs to let their children
work with them and allow them to do so until they get old and die. Letting a child help fix a
parent’s problems at such a young age is disgraceful.

A parent must bear in mind that education is their greatest opportunity to give an
irrevocable gift to the next generation. Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this
planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal. It
is time for a new generation of leadership, to cope with new problems and new opportunities. For
there is a new world to be won.