Child Labour - Philippines

March 1996
We offer you a shocking report on child labour in the Philippines.

Mari-Lou is having the best day of her life. She and two friends are screaming at the top of their voices as they descend down a water chute. A government social worker has treated the girls to a day at an amusement park to help them recover from the trauma of being locked up, beaten, unpaid and sexually abused. Recruited from their peasant village to became maids in Manila, they have been totally exploited by their employment agency. Impoverished families are forced to let their children suffer slave labour. At a gold mine, Joel makes $8 a day scrabbling in the mud for any gold ore which spills beneath the wheels of endless trucks. In Manila, 13 year old Brian Marsada is locked into a dim warehouse where he bottles bleach. When it is raided by government forces, Brian escapes. A journey home to the lush but poverty stricken island of Mindanao in the Philippines reunites him with his family. His bright western clothes contrast with his father's torn and dirty shirt. Now embarrassed by the shabby hamlet, he misses the cheap, coloured lights of Manila.

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

• Category

  News & Politics

[musicalidea]

It's INTENSELY frustrating that they don't translate any of the comments provided by those being interviewed!

[MultiTrackyBoyz]

Watching this for school :D

[binayaraj soti]

Great video clip. I'm here since my best friend unexpectedly started to be unbelievable with girls. He went from a nobody into being awesome. He pretended he didn't notice. He then explained it to me when he was wasted. Turns out he makes use of the Jake Ayres Master Attraction Formula. Google it if you want to know about it... He's on a date today with a gorgeous girl... Lucky man!

[pandemonstrosity]

It looks like gibberish to me but I kinda understand what you meant in your post.

[FunnyAsARubberCrutch]

Yes, is it not correct?

[pandemonstrosity]

Did you use Google translate?

[natzz182]

I have a defense on this!! Wish me luck guys!! :)

[AusCharlie]

I think you'll find that having so many kids is more to do with the Catholic Church and it imposing it's will on the people than anything else.

[20rosies]

most philippine people think that if they have plenty of children then they have enough kids to support them financially when they get older...child labour yes i have seen plenty of kids while i was in manila begging for money they said they have not eaten yet plus their parents have no money to buy food..compair uk life teenager get pregnant as young as 14yrs old to get free housing & money to help bring up her kids the more children she have the more money she can get to help her..what a life.

[20rosies]

philippines are now swamp with different religions so what are you talking about jesus and catholic church promoting child labour...its the parents it self why have sex & have many children if you are already poor no money to have luxury things..my brother had i child & i told him dont add anymore as u are already poor & no money to put them for education so all we need to do is advise..no need contraceptive my sister in-law told me they do withdrawal so it dont even cost them a penny very good.

[dalecs47]

Please consider this: If you thank the Church, the priests, for the good things they do should you not also blame them for the bad things that they do? And please try to answer the question of what Jesus would say about the Catholic church promoting child labor? If you had experience with a kind priest from Europe I am happy for you. But don’t thank the church for what a good man did for you unless you can blame the church if a bad priest does something bad.

[20rosies]

africa are worst they are advertising on uk tv for donation help the african starvation no fresh water to drink...they are asking help for the african people with HIV..atleast we philippine people can dug our own well in our own land for our fresh water...philippine people dont go on tv asking for donations...we philippine people help our family who ever the member of the family have money we help support our needy ones...mabuhay philippines...