Myanmar crackdown on underage workers, illegal child labor

Global Business

More companies in Myanmar have crackdown on the issue of child labor.

CCTV’s Dave Grunebaum reports.

Across the country, child labor is common. Child laborers mostly poor and supporting families

“It’s a major problem for anyone who wants to do business in Myanmar and live by what we normally recognize as international standards,” Petter Furberg, CEO of Telenor Myanmar.

One in five children aged between 10 and 17 goes to work instead of school in Myanmar, according to statistics.

These kids are typically poor and help support their families.

Even non-hazardous work in Myanmar cannot legally be performed by anyone younger than 14.

Telenor has fired five supervisors at constructions sites for using under age workers and the contracts with five tea shops have been terminated.

The hope is other companies will also take a strong stand. Although some companies are on board, it will take a lot more to weed out child labor.


Christina Fink discusses child labor in Myanmar

To take a deeper look at the issue of child labor in Myanmar, CCTV America’s Rachelle Akuffo spoke with Christina Fink, professor of Practice of International Affairs at George Washington University.