Work for Children

Works for children still becomes a controversial issue in our society. Some people argue that children should not work, because they may feel depression ( because of working circumstances) or they may break from their school. Some people argue that work for children is good, because children can learn more from their work. In my opinion, not all of the work for children is bad. It is bad if it harms and exploits children in some way.

Work for children is bad if it harms and exploits children mentally, physically, morally, or blocking the access to education. Many cases of working children in some export industries indicate these exploitation and harm. According to a study conducted by Committee for Creative Education of Indonesia Children (KOMPAK) and Kepodang Foundation, a number of children working in factories work under unsafe condition (for example lack of ventilation in factory) in meager wages. They also complaint about lack of time for resting, this cause some of them often getting sick. These condition of working probably is one of the reasons why most of the children break from their school.

In the other hands, work for children will gain benefit to them if they work proportionally. That’s mean that even they are working, they still have time for attend school, time to play, time to rest. For example: a child named Rizka Amelia ( student at SDN 5 Central Jakarta), after going home from school, work as newspaper deliverer. In such condition, the children will learn how to work, responsibility and gain some money without breaking his school.

Actually, work for children will give many benefits for the children, if the children work without losing their playing time or breaking from school. But if the work starts to exploit and harm the children, sooner or later, it will give bad effect to them. So, this kind of work condition should be decreased.

Good work.