Adolescence is a pivotal phase in every child’s life as it is a time not just to gain education but also to absorb crucial life lessons.
Thus, it is vital for parents to ensure that every avenue is opened for their children to be able to do just that.
Wavering their focus on labour is not ideal. However, unfortunate circumstances can push adolescents into working lives to sustain themselves and sometimes their families.
Despite the efforts of government bodies to prevent and address these circumstances, there are still parents who resort to exploiting their children to meet their family’s needs.
Underaged siblings earn RM10k singing in the streets
Earlier today, two siblings were rescued by authorities from the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) in Banda Hilir, Melaka. They were found singing on the sidewalks of a shopping centre.
According to Sinar Harian, these teenage boys aged 13 and 15 have allegedly been earning close to RM10,000 monthly by singing in the streets, gathering public contributions averaging nearly RM300 to RM600 per day, especially on the weekends.
The director of JKM Melaka stated that the boys, who are still in school, were likely exploited by their mother, in her 40s. She has been receiving monthly aid from JKM for the past four years.
He emphasized that underaged children should not be left on the streets late at night. The boys reportedly sang a variety of songs, including 80s tunes, from 8:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.
The mother, who reportedly has health issues, would bring the boys to a spot to sing and watch them from a distance.
We will bring both siblings to the Department of Social Welfare office and assess their suitability for placement in a welfare centre or under supervision according to the Child Act 2001 (Act 611).”
“If necessary for their future, we will take and place them in a suitable welfare home so they can lead a normal life,” he told reporters.
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