Child labour rife on Setse Beach

January 19, 2016

WCRP:In the town surrounding Setse Beach, located in Mon State’s Thanbyuzayat Township, concerns are being raised that children are increasingly being employed to service the popular beach’s burgeoning tourist industry.

Children employed on Setse Beach are known to work renting horses, bicycles and beach toys to visitors.

One child employed on Setse Beach spoke to WCRP, giving a detailed picture of child labour in the area.

Eight-year-old Mg Soe Aung, who is employed renting horses to visitors, explained, “Our boss gives me 1500 Kyat per day, but sometimes they give me 5000, 10,000 or 20,000. It depends on how many visitors we have.”

Like many other children employed in Burma’s substantial child workforce, children employed on Setse Beach do not go to school, instead being forced into work early due to family livelihood difficulties.

“We come from Kyaikto,” said Mg Soe Aung, “my parents worked on other people’s farms. We were poor daily workers. This year my parents got in touch with a friend in Setse and we moved here.”

He continued, “My parents work as photographers and in a shop. They work at everything to get money […] My job is better than my last job because I get a daily income. But it is only just enough for our family’s daily food. We don’t have any extra money to save. I will keep working in this job for my family. I will work here as long as my boss lets me.”

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News