has a transitional economy and many serious socio-economic problems. Yet there no longer appears to be child labour. We hope that Portugal's experience may benefit governmente of other countries.
The Anti-Slavery Society's programme of research into child labour has so far dealt only with its incidence the incidence of it in five countries on four continents. that we had no wish to pillory particular countries. have been mentioned in the press this year. I would three brief examples.
I said Many others like to give
In Italy shoes are made in private houses by children aged 9. At 12 some are working twelve hours a day. Serious accidents are not uncommon and these are not shown in official figures.
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In Taiwan thousands of girls aged 12 to 15 are working 12 to 14 hours for $1.21 a day weaving, making toys and connecting the wires in electronic devices.
In Thailand the authorities estimate that children predominate in the work force of 5,000 small factories around Bangkok. They work under conditions which violate every regulation on hours, health and sanitation. One 12 year old girl, sold by her father to an agency for 880 works with 58 others 15 hours a day wrapping sweets. The pay
50 cents a day - is withheld for bed and board. Some, crippled by yeare without exercise, are not released but must be carried by other children to and from their work.
Mr. Chairman, we hope that the series of studies we have now in progress will provide comparisons with a variety of occupations in other countries. A separate series of studies will examine what are likely to be the effects on a country's economy of very rapid elimination of child labour.
It would be irresponsible in an organization such as the Anti-Slavery Society, whose rule is primarily fact-finding, to make detailed recommendations before these socio-economic studies have been completed. Nevertheless the Society believes that there are certain lussung to be drawn from our reports which may be of value to countries other than those named.
Lastly, Mr. Chairman, I think these reports force us to reflect on five conclusions:-
As Mr.
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The exploitation of child labour is widespread. Ceausu reminded the Working Group on Slavery, it occurs in every country in the world.
Until the International Year of the Child provided the impetus, little was known of child labour and little research has been done to assess scientifically the nature and extent of its harmful effects or the probable socio-economic results of attempted elimination.
The lack of response from governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, which were asked by the Working Group to provide information on the exploitation of child labour, suggests that apart from the ILO which has a study in progress at present, a handful of non-governmental organizations have alone undertaken any fact-finding missions or contributed informati ́n.
If any trade union has taken any action either to stop or prevent the exploitation of child labour, whether in its own or in another country, or to give information about child labour, this was not brought to the notice of the Group.
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