One of the major social problems in China is child labor. Children in China are an abundant source of
labor. In some areas of China children make up ten to twenty percent of the work force. Many
companies prefer child labor because children are cheap, obedient and agile enough to maneuver in
small machine-cramped work areas.

The Compulsory Education Law of the Chinese constitution states that all children under the age of 16
must go to school and are not allowed to hold full-time jobs. However, the government does little to
prevent privately owned industrial or commercial firms from hiring children. Up to ten percent of
Chinese children hold full time jobs instead of going to school each year.

Parents allow their children to work because many Chinese feel school doesn't provide skills that have
immediate or realistic advantages. Many poor families cannot afford the expenses of school, and the
children go to work in order to support the family. Work is often seen as more beneficial than school.

The Chinese government sees child labor as one way to combat poverty and does little to enforce the
laws against it. The companies are more interested in their economic investments than the status of
their workers. So far there have not been any convincing signs that the situation will improve or that the
issue has become a priority for the Chinese government.

Gilley, B. (1996). Following the Money: China's Growth Spurt Tempts Children into Jobs. Far Eastern
Review, 159

Wang, L. (1988). Child Labour Causes Concern. Beijing Review, 33, 42

Last Updated: December 7, 1999