^ Are you including the Black Market trade?
It is through the exploitation of these Honorable Men & Women (the Children), that Pakistan is able to support itself. This contemporay slavery allows for these banglas to be sold at just cheap prices. If one child is not willing to work for just cheap wage, there are thousands of more children who will.
Would you buy a bangle for a couple rupees or buy at a rate that the labour can actually support at least him/herself? 20 rupees or 50 rupees? The blame also belongs with us, who are willing to allow the exploitation of children. The people who employ them aren't poor, they'remiddle class. They have their children educated in private schools. They have a moral obligation to at least help their child workers with some education. I'm not saying that its right to make children work in horrendous conditions, i'm just saying the background of the issue also has to be analyzed. I believe that Children themselves have a responsibility to their parents to help with the finances.
I remember reading an article, some years back, about a Pakistani who bought some english books for a child newspaper seller, and some 15 years later that child emailed him back with perfect English explaining that he had taught himself English through the books that were given to him. I am sure that the children interviewed for this issue dont lack the thirst for knowledge.
I also remember, my father explaining how the child of a poor farmer could get a scholarship to study and become an engineer or doctor back in the day, now he/she will never be able to even complete the 5th grade.
All these children need is a chance to prove themselves. I wouldn't mind giving a few lose dollars to a charity that offers scholarships to education minded children. Do any of you know of just an organization?