Manthoc
The organization Manthoc ( Spanish Movimiento de Adolescentes y Niños Trabajadores Hijos de Obreros Cristianos for "Movement of Working Children and Young People, Sons and Daughters of Christian Workers" ) was founded in 1976 in Lima ( Peru ). It is a union-like association that campaigns for the rights of working children and young people. At Manthoc, the children stand up for their rights themselves. They act protagonistically and are only accompanied by adults. In this way, the children and young people should develop into active citizens of their country and contribute to its positive change.
Manthoc is now active all over Peru. According to their own information, around 4,000 children are involved in this non-governmental organization. In Lima and Cajamarca (in the north of Peru) there are separate schools for child workers . In special workshops and bakeries children and young people are given the opportunity, a worthy work to do and at the same time to go to school.
Manthoc is extremely critical of UNICEF and its position that child labor must be combated by law. The effect of such a law is counterproductive as long as the economic and cultural requirements are not met. A ban on child labor would only lead to the criminalization of working children and thus to a deterioration in their working conditions. It is much more realistic to advocate that every child can do a decent job.