Child Labor In Wuhan, Chinese Argue Good or Bad

Two kids working in a factory.

In Wuhan, some black-hearted factory bosses use children as labor to squeeze extreme profits; some of these children toiling day and night for them, shedding countless tears of suffering and hardship.

Carrying the concerns of city residents, “Wang Haofeng Focus” [an independent reporter/photographer] from late September until early October, directed investigations across the Wuhan region focusing on the numerous innocent-faced workers laboring long hours in factories (they are distributed across clothing factories/printing factories/textile factories/zipper factories/etc). In order to speed up production, black-hearted bosses use them like ‘robots’, letting them rest only 6 hours per day, some only get off work at 4 in the morning; Because of serious lack of sleep, some had their fingers “bitten” by machines during production; those who made mistakes during production, are blamed and scolded by the boss; It’s 2 am in the morning, only to find these tired and beaten kids on the side of the road buying “shaobing” [a Chinese sesame bread] for a late-night snack.

Two child labors working.

A child toiling in a clothing factory said he was born in March 1995. The foreman said he just turned 15.

Asked if the kid made close to a thousand kuai a month, the foreman replied: “Not that much, just a bit”.

At a factory that makes mops, a child is ceaselessly putting rubber covering on the mop stick, he said he has been employed for 1 year already, came from Xishui in Hubei province, and has just turned 15 this year; every day, he has to cover over a thousand mop sticks. Annual salary is 5000 yuan.

Child labor working.

Surrounding residents passionately decried, this is clearly a threat to one’s life! There are even 12 and 13 year old among them, and who can save them? Every time there is an inspection, someone will warn the factory beforehand. After the inspection/noise is over, the problem immediately returns.

Everybody knows the country severely cracks down on the illegal act of employing of children for labor. Yet in only a few days, “Wang Haofeng Focus” already uncovered so many working “baby faces.” How many of these child labors are in the Wuhan region is still an unknown number. The hope remains within the related agencies to seriously face the party/the people/the nation in a responsible manner in the future, by investigating thoroughly, to return the kids the happiness of childhood. Return to society a sense of fairness and justice.

Child hanging up clothes.

Children working in a sweatshop.

Young boy hard at work.

Young boy sewing.

Boy working the machinery.

Boy hurt himself on the machine.

"Working long hours in the factory, sometimes workers will hurt their fingers on the machinery."

Young boy working hard.

Working late into the night.

Late in the night he is still hard at work. This is a printing factory. People in the factory revealed that he is 15, already been working for a year."

Child labors working

Child labor working.

Young boy working machinery.

"'Mechanic' is an innocent and tender face."

Young boy working the machinery.

"This little 'technician' is diagnosing a problem with the machine."

15 year old boy working in a factory.

"This 15 year old was only recruited recently. His is still lacking skill, and is often scolded by the boss."

Child working.

Boy working in a factory.

Young girls working in a clothing factory.

Boy applying covers to mop handles.

"Everyday he puts covers on over a thousand mop sticks. Annual salary is 5000 yuan. Born November 1993. He already been working for a year."

Boy working in a factory.

Comments on NetEase:

Everywhere is the same
not just Wuhan

crycrycrycry

How can it be like this? What have the Ministry of Labor been doing, why are they not taking care of it?

Sorrow, the whole society’s sorrow! Children are the hope of the future, yet they are wasting their youth there [in the factory]! Where the hell did the regulatory departments go?

These bosses, are they still fucking human?

I can’t finish reading this, I want to kill someone!

It is a little better these days. Many years ago, it was even younger, they would come when they were only 11 and 12-years-old .

The children’s parents also have responsibility. Having kids, and not raising them?!!
These kids are only around 10 years old, and already they let them go out to make money. These kind of parents must face the guilt in their conscience.

Only by learning a trade at a young age will they be competitive in the future. I support, I support.

We live in a shameless country.

So pitiful crying

What the fuck do you guys know. If they don’t work, then do you want then to go on the street and rob? Go steal and rob? They don’t want to go to school, that their own choice, what can you do? Don’t tell me it is the factory that forced them there? Break their legs if they run??? They are on the streets eating a late-night snack thank you very much, open your eyes, and use your brains.

They should be studying in school, isn’t tuition free now? Dammit, “ding” this up, send those bastards [factory bosses] to prison for a couple of years.

Factory bosses are black, the Ministry of Labor is even blacker.

This society still have lots of impoverished places, no choice but to go earn money at a young age. With regards to those black factories who can help regulate them! How long will these factories still exist in society!

Wuhan again! This kind of bosses should be shot on sight!

This is China. If these type of phenomenon did not exist, then it wouldn’t be China anymore.

The author wants relevant departments to inspect, and save the kids. But didn’t say whether regulation is enough. May I ask, after the kids are saved what will they do? They work because of one thing – poverty, after they leave where will they go? No outlet, no escape, they can only look for another place that hires children for labor, and if no one hires child labor, then what will they do? I thought for a while, probably only three options: 1. Repatriation; 2. Wandering around; 3. Starve to death. (First I want to say, I’m not a factory boss or worker) Please think of a solution to solve the fundamental problem, if they have other options, I reckon no family would let their kids leave home and suffer.

It is not only in Wuhan, my hometown of Hunan, my work place in Shenzhen, everywhere there is child labors, and still no one does anything about it.

China’s situation is that the poor are getting poorer, and the rich getting richer

What will regulation do? Unless there are no more poor people in China
Kids family is poor, if you regulate then there will be no place to work
Go home and go to school? There are still a lot of poor people in today’s China.

I think this is good. If these young kids don’t have work, they can only wander in society, to steal and to rob, kill and commit crimes. This would only be a life of regret. Earning some money can at least give them some hope, can help support the family, and they won’t be drifting on the streets, its not a bad thing. I came from the countrysides and am a migrant worker. All you white collars live a full life, don’t understand the sufferings of the poor. If you guys have the wherewithal/ability/heart, then go open a factory to give these kids better jobs. Too bad you guys don’t have that wherewithal/ability/heart, and only know how to complain here, the eventual outcome is these factories being closed down, these kids drift on the streets, and don’t have to work 15 hours a day, then you are content. They are now hungry, have no face to return home to their families, and you guys are now happy. They walk down the path of crime, then you’ll start blaming. These things are all the doing of you bored people, everyday talk about human rights, but actually forcing these kids into a dead end. Wake up people, do something practical.

Young boy buying food outside.

"2 in the morning, they leave the factory and have a late-night snack at a small roadside booth. Fellow co-workers introduce the middle kid as 14-years-old."

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85 Comments

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  1. Ann believes it is okay for poor people to steal from their employers “because they need to eat” but it is wrong for poor people to work to earn their money.

    And she says I have a flexible moral code?

    HAH.

  2. Quoting Kai:

    “Ann believes it is okay for poor people to steal from their employers “because they need to eat” but it is wrong for poor people to work to earn their money. ”

    I did not say it is okay for poor people to steal, rather it is a common phoenomenon as a result of destitution in poor countries. With China’s recent economic development, you are using an aged old arguement that no longer fits China perfectly. If China wants to join the civilized world, China and the Chinese who are not living the poverty will have to own up to the responsiblity of making China a society of conscience, and not graft and exploitation. Would’nt you think this is a moral imperative and an achievable goal? But, you and the others who think alike on this issue as yet to answer my question, “When it is not permisslble to use children for exploitation? Do you have a bottom line, an absolute moral standing on this issue?

    Hu Jia is a hero who stands for a high standard on moral issues. He deservedly was honored with the Sahkarov Humanitarian Prize.

  3. @ Ann:

    No, you raised hell when people tried to explain how poverty compels poor people to work in conditions you personally find unacceptable but then you made excuses for poor people stealing because they have to eat.

    No one here WANTS children to work in conditions we find unacceptable. People are only explaining why this phenomenon exists. You have failed to differentiate between your own inane rants and what people are actually discussing.

    Some questions for you:

    1. What age old argument am I using? Let’s see if you’re actually reading or if you’re just really good at using the straw man fallacy.

    2. Who here is suggesting that China be a society of graft and exploitation? Please provide appropriate citations and context.

    3. Everyone here thinks alleviating poverty and improving Chinese society is a moral imperative and achievable goal. We just think you’re an idiot who has no idea of how to “achieve” that goal other than stomping your feet and insisting that it all magically “change.”

    Ann, your problem is that you’re arguing in your own head. You’re not actually listening to other people. Instead, you’ve conjured up some enemy and are raging against that enemy, oblivious to what the hell is actually being said. That is the straw man fallacy. Look it up.

    As for you feeling compelled to bring up Hu Jia, I’m beginning to think you have a martyr complex. I think most of us here disagree with the government locking up Hu Jia, but I think you have some misconceptions about who he is and what he has actually accomplished. Please go ahead and read this: Hu Jia wins Sakharov Prize for Freedom. Again, doesn’t justify what the government has done but it does suggest Hu Jia may not be as mind-blowingly heroic as you apparently think he is. There’s a line between being a force for good and becoming narcissistic. Forget what the Chinese government thinks but take into account what his peers think, as they have far more experience and knowledge of what he’s done than you or I.

  4. Quoting the Hu Jia winning the Sakharov peace prize:

    “But my friends, one of whom works at the United Nations, challenged me about what Hu has actually done aside from draw attention to himself and get himself arrested.”

    This written by a Chinese source and the writer never revealed the identity of his friends who work at U.N. This is not the protocol of a bonifide reporter would be allowed to use, quoting without naming the source.

    I would dispute the truthfulness of this story. Neverthless, I would say it is a very piece of propaganda to seed doubt about Hu Jia. I would not think the European Parliament would let themselves be the laughing ass of the whole world in rewarding the prize to a nobody. They must have made the decision after the vetting process and checking the facts. It is amazing how clever the Chinese propaganda engine is.

  5. Ann, please respond to #1, 2, and 3. Don’t be a baby and try to ignore them hoping you won’t have to own up to your own offensive mistakes.

    Re: Hu Jia

    HAH, I knew you’d pull some kind of bullshit like that.

    You’ve missed the point of Richard’s post (another one about Hu Jia here – please read before responding). The point is not to vilify Hu Jia but merely to ask everyone to introspect and ask themselves if Hu Jia has really ACCOMPLISHED much for the causes he promotes AND if he deserved the prize MORE SO than others who have also made significant contributions and promotion for human rights.

    If you want to an idiot about it, fine, let’s see you produce names, citations, or references to what Hu Jia has accomplished. Since you have several times now upheld Hu Jia as an exemplary “moral individual,” please SUBSTANTIATE your confident appraisal of him. While you’re at it, remind yourself that no one here thinks Hu Jia is evil or anything, nor is anyone saying he hasn’t done good things, just that maybe what he has done is not exactly the most deserving of such a prestigious prize.

    So, come on, Ann, please SHOW US why you think Hu Jia is so deserving. To win a prize involves QUALIFYING for it, right? So the burden of proof for why he deserves it is upon you, as his ardent supporter who thinks it is somehow categorically wrong to ask whether or not he deserved the prize above others or wonder about just how much he’s actually accomplished.

    You’re the one who is demanding names and proof, right? Don’t be a hypocrite and shirk out of this.

    By the way, it is atrociously revealing of your discrimination that you somehow tried to dismiss Richard’s post as a “Chinese source.” Oh god, SO WHAT IF HE IS WRITING FROM CHINA? Hu Jia is FROM CHINA TOO. HE WROTE FROM CHINA TOO! GASP! I bet you even thought Richard was, you know, Chinese, but I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt that you knew he’s actually not Chinese and only meant to call him into doubt for writing FROM China. See how generous I am?

    Now, stop trying to dismiss others based upon whether they are Chinese or not and actually address the points in their arguments. In Richard’s case, please tell us why you think it Hu Jia was more deserving of the prize than others. Please tell us why it is somehow wrong to question if his actual human right’s accomplishments are not as impressive as others. LEARN TO ADDRESS THE POINTS.

    Holy shit, you’re such an idiot. Richard’s blog is often criticized to high hell for being so critical of the Chinese government and you’re sitting there accusing him of being part of the Chinese propaganda apparatus? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

    他妈的脑残得要死!没见过你这么SB的牛B!

  6. Oh, wait, my favorite line:

    I would not think the European Parliament would let themselves be the laughing ass of the whole world in rewarding the prize to a nobody. They must have made the decision after the vetting process and checking the facts.

    That’s some amazing blind-faith you have there, Ann. Do political motivations mean nothing to you? You know, those same political motivations that let the American government (Congress included) become the laughing ass of the whole world in invading Iraq to overthrow Saddamn Hussein (something you’ve professed to be upset about). The American government must have made the decision after the vetting process and checking the facts…

    RIGHT?

    You’re so blatantly self-righteous, discriminatory, and hypocritical it is embarrassing that we’re the same species and I could spawn minions with you (presuming you’re really a woman).

  7. The Iraq War has been considered by most Americans as a Bush’s military adventure. We had not trusted Bush’s international policy, I personally as well from the very beginning. In terms of the Sakharov prize, there is nothing to be gained and a whole lot to lose in terms of Chinese EU relations. I don’t see any ulterior hidden motive here as China had asserted. Besides, it is only a symbolism, although an honorable one. One does not have to consider the consequence of the act so seriously. China is the only country that objected vehemently the selection of receipient of the prize – Hu Jia. One wonders why the majority of the world approves Hu Jia to be the worthwhile recepient if he is such a deceipt.
    .

  8. Bush cannot wage war without funding from Congress. Or do you not understand basic fundamentals of American government? Congress represents the people. YOU, in part, FAILED to stop Congress from waging the Iraq War. That is the ESSENCE of DEMOCRACY, where EVERY citizen is responsible for the country’s government.

    No one said Hu Jia is a deceit. Stop with the straw man fallacies already.

    Let me ask you again, is it wrong to question whether or not Hu Jia deserves the prize more than other human rights activists who may have accomplished much more?

    A simple “yes” or “no” would be sufficient.

    Stop being spineless and get your principles straight before you open your mouth or lay hand to keyboard.

  9. Well its hard to judge isnt it? It is wrong for the factory to exploit these children’s desire to work due to poverty, but to stop them from hiring them would also mean that their family will lose a source of income. What they need to do is set up a legislation where there is some sort of basic salary for these kids and also some sort of working hours to allow them time to go to school to improve their future.

  10. Hmmm, went to look at the comments on Netease, the page has been removed…

  11. To all,
    there are only $100, and your parents take $99, how many leave there?
    they need bread b/4 they go to school.
    what do they do after they graduate? as a whole, there are still needs many unskilled workers? right?

    if could, we go back to see what Mao had done for China, we will see there is no child labors.

    what i understand about the Ding says ” let someone richer first” is meaning “make someone poorer first”.

  12. Mychina,
    your post:
    1. does not address any relevant issue, in fact it
    2. does not address any issue whatsoever or make any kind of argument
    3. has so many grammar errors that it makes my head hurt to read it

    please, before you next post, can you:
    1. read the article
    2. read the previous comments
    3. think of a point you’d like to make
    4. get a second grader to proof read your post for grammar and spelling

    thanks a bunch

  13. @ MyChina:

    Mao: Everyone will be equal, equally poor.
    Deng: Let some get richer first, but yes, some will still be poor.

    @ TrueCapitalist:

    You must’ve be kicking yourself after hitting that submit button, huh? ;)

  14. This is sooo fucking stupid keeping all this children in those places the companys and bosses have to be fucking dicks what the fuck is wrong with them they fucking morons. so sad so sad

  15. You are right. I am poor at grammar and spelling, but it is better than before. I am still working on my grammar and spelling.
    If you are “TrueCapitalist”, then you only look on the costs and profits; there is no child-labor, there is only labor.

    if we compare with USA today, we are still poor. what we feel we are getting rich is only when we compare with our past. if this is true, then we are not equally “poor”, when we compare with the begin of the new china.

    sorry for the G & S.

  16. i think if these kids stop working there wont be anyone to give food to there poor parents, im pretty sure they too wanted to go school and study like the rest of the kids, think a little, if you stop them there work, then you should prepare to give them food and there needs as well otherwise these kids become prostitutes and robbers in the near future.

  17. i cant fucking believe this shit
    theses mother fuckers need to have there balls re-attached
    stupid bitches

  18. hi everybody i hate china!

  19. Anything to make my Ipod cost less!

    Why the hell does the WORLD care what happens in China?

    It’s their fucking country let them run it the way they want.

  20. Truly the government is not in charge, money is.

  21. “In a free society, all are involved in what some are doing. Some are guilty, all are responsible.”
    ~Abraham Heschel

  22. fuck ! as long as all you chinese keep saying you LOVE mao

    then of course this will happen

    mao lifestyle = 1 20 m2 living space with 6 families in side like dogs!

    mao had you and your grandparents live this way

    and you always have this arrogance is

    ” but but – I’m CHINESE! ”

    ” but but ” this is CHINA!

    ALL BRAINWASHED SHIT

    I AM NOW LIVING IN CHINA FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS AND EVEN MANY CHINESE I KNOW HAVE BETTER LIVES THAN THAT AND MANY ARE FROM THE COUNTRY SIDE

    ATLEAST THERE ARE MAN Y PEOPLE IN CHINESE SOCIETY THAT HAVE AND KNOW THEIR RIGHTS! and face it and show the rest of the world/china that enough is ENOUGH!

    stay strong stay proud stay modern!

  23. It’s not without nothing why 1% of the the world’s population owns 40% of the world’s money.

  24. This site was very help full to me i am working on a project for history class on human rights and the picture on this site helped so much. The information was amazing and so sad but it helped a lot with my project. :) Thank You!

  25. It happens in China. It happens in Africa. It happens in the Middle East. Majority (not all) kids in countries work to support their families. If these kids don’t get enough money to support their family, they and their families will starve to death. The kids that go to school are living life luxuriously. At first I agreed with taking them out of the factories and then I looked at it logically. You have got to see both sides of the story, not just one.

  26. Compulsory and free education. For everyone.That is the ONLY solution. Send the children to school, free of tuition fees, make them learn, give them the right tools, feed their minds…and they won’t end-up in the streets, and they won’t end up as slaves in a factory, because they’ll know better.

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