Child Labour, far from slavery?

The newest reports on child labour have been released this week, and the information is truly startling.

Questions have to be asked of our BC Liberal government as to why they’ve allowed things to become as bad as they are for today’s youth.

Child labour has become more accepted, as youths require more money to do the things they enjoy, and to support their families in these tough economic times.

So why is it that the government refuses to enact means to protect our most vulnerable workers.

I would like to ask Mary Polak, the Minister of Children and Family Development, and Murray Coell, the Minister of Labour a few questions, since this relates to their cabinet portfolios.

First:

Why do you support a law that allows youths from 12 to 14 to work if they have written parental consent, when more than 58 per cent of those youth report that they have not obtained that consent or given it to their employer?

Where is the accountability in creating a law and then doing nothing to ensure it is upheld?

Second:

For the sixth year in a row, British Columbia has stood as the province with the worst child poverty rate in Canada.

How are you working to end child poverty in B.C.?

Finally:

Why does the government not create legislation outlining what kinds of jobs young people can work in?

British Columbia is the only province that does not have any laws or regulations regarding the occupations or tasks that a youth can work.

How can this government claim to care about youth and put them first when there are no restrictions on the kinds of jobs they perform, including dangerous jobs not suited to younger people?