Condemning child labour
Sir: In 1980, the Anti-Slavery Society published its own report, Child Labour in Thailand, on the working conditions of school-age children in that country. Both your correspondents, Derek Davies and Paisal Sricharatchanya, in their separate ar- ticles (17 July) make it clear that little has changed in the intervening two years.
Davies says that 'no one, least of all the Thai authorities, denies that the problems of child exploitation and prostitution exist'. Paisal emphasises that 'the broader theme of child exploitation in the Pilger article cannot be disputed — poor people from up- country provinces do indeed flock to Bangkok, and some unfortunate cases end up in sweatshops'.
May I end with another quote which, perhaps, explains why the Anti-Slavery Society, though gratified at having its fin- dings supported in the pages of the Spec- tator, is saddened but not surprised that children are still 'slaves' in Thailand? The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Thailand has said: 'We cannot be too rigorous in opposing the use of child labour because it would reduce productivity and harm many businesses.'
Alan Whittaker
The Anti-Slavery Society, 180 Brixton Road, London SW9
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