Letter : Scandal of child labour in Britain
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: The prosecution of a company in Corby for illegally employing young children (report, 17 September) highlights the situation of hundreds of thousands of exploited child workers throughout the United Kingdom.
Evidence from all over Britain confirms the same story - that children, some as young as 10, are working at the expense of their health and schooling. Enforcement of the UK's patchwork of laws on child employment is virtually non-existent, and prosecutions of employers are the exception rather than the rule.
In December 1995 Anti-Slavery International helped to convene a conference at the House of Commons to discuss the issue of child labour in the UK.
But the Government seems determined to press ahead with its own response to the problem, proposing to weaken existing child labour laws by allowing children to be employed on a Sunday. This is not the answer.
We need strong laws, and a strong commitment to enforce those laws.
JONATHAN BLAYBROUGH
Anti-Slavery International
London SW9
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments