New report exposes exploitation of child labour in the Philippines

While the Filipino workers movement has a proud history of struggle and organising, the reality is that much of the Philippine’s working class have to endure unsafe working conditions, long days and low wages (see here and here). A new report by Human Rights Watch has reported on the widespread use of children in the gold mining industry in the Philippines. These children are forced by poverty to work in dangerous conditions where regulations are non existent and accidents are common. Only through the creation of strong, independent unions will child exploitation be eradicated in this mining sector.

While the Filipino workers movement has a proud history of struggle and organising, the reality is that much of the Philippine’s working class have to endure unsafe working conditions, long days and low wages (see here and here). A new report by Human Rights Watch has reported on the widespread use of children in the gold mining industry in the Philippines. These children are forced by poverty to work in dangerous conditions where regulations are non existent and accidents are common. Only through the creation of strong, independent unions will child exploitation be eradicated in this mining sector.