Photo courtesy: for non-profit, educational use — The National.
World Cup: Thoughts on the Finals, and Some Final Thoughts.
Okay, wonderful. International Labor Organization (ILO) says Pakistan eliminated child labor in their football (soccer) manufacturing industry. If you didn’t know, small boys and girls used to make most of the $140 billion products — for very little money. I don’t know how much the adults are making now.
But I read a report in The Guardian that the ban on child labor in Pakistan football-making industry has driven the poor children into worse jobs. But nobody talks about it.
Now, Even if that ILO report is truthful assessment (which I do not believe will eliminate poverty for these families, unless there is supportive economy and government, and there isn’t any), then why can’t they use that model to end child labor in other sports and entertainment areas?
Why are they still allowing Disney to make toys and costumes in other poor countries, and in China, violating human rights? Here is a 2018 report.
Why are they not stopping child slavery in the fishery and seafood industry? Here is a 2018 report.
The chocolate industry in Ivory Coast? Here is a recent study.
Garment industry in Bangladesh? A 2016 report is here.
Firecrackers industry in India? Here’ another 2016 report.
Why is there zero media coverage on the enormous sex trafficking and porn industry? Read this 2016 story by a young woman who was a sex slave to Europe’s elite at the age of six.
Did you know that next to weapons and drugs, sex- and porn-related business is the third largest?
Before watching the World Cup final game on Sunday, can you think about the 2000+ migrant workers who already died building the football stadiums in Qatar, site of the next World Cup in 2022? Oh, you didn’t know? Okay, read this 2017 report.
Qatar’s human rights record is absolutely miserable, and they don’t care about activist pressures.
I’m telling you that unless you come up with an alternative, sustainable, humane economy, the so-called elimination of child labor and slavery — like the one in Pakistan’s football-manufacturing industry — would not work. I don’t care what ILO says.
Find out what is going on. As I tell my students every time I teach, “Don’t believe a single world I say. Do your own research.”
That is, of course, if you care. If not, have fun. Don’t even bother. Watch you finals.
Sincerely Yours,
Partha Banerjee
Brooklyn, New York
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