Banning child labour imposes naive Western ideals

Greasy work: A Kashmiri child labourer working inside a workshop in this file picture. While the West moves against child labour, some greater understanding of what it actually is might be mutually beneficial. — EPA

IN an ideal world there would be no child labour, but instead opportunities for children to play, learn, relax and otherwise enjoy life.

This ideal is reflected in the corporate social responsibility policies of numerous companies and of those selling branded consumer goods. They have committed to eradicate any form of child labour from their supply chains.