A child carries a basket on his back in Zhaojue county, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, in Sichuan Province. Photo: IC

Impoverished, backward, miserable… these are the words usually used to describe Liangshan, a prefecture in Sichuan Province populated chiefly by the Yi ethnic group.

Now, Liangshan has gained a new tag: child labor. Late last year, dozens of children were rescued during a police crackdown on child labor in a Shenzhen factory, and were soon sent back to their homes in Liangshan.

However, many of the children complained about the police action and said they would rather not go back to Liangshan and lose their incomes. A 16-year-old girl named Jiqu Aniu, deported from Shenzhen, said she was "unfortunate" to be found by the police.

In the factories, they had to work 12 hours a day and pay extra money to middlemen. They were usually the sole source of income for their family, apart from meager government subsidies.

However, the children are still restless even back at home, as they usually have to do laborious work to support the family.

One of the main reasons for the situation is the plague of drugs and HIV among adults in the region.

Zeriha, 67, had to take care of eight grandchildren left by his two sons and a daughter, all of whom died of AIDS or taking drugs.

With only 600 yuan ($99) of government subsidy a year, Zeriha is finding it increasingly difficult to raise all the kids. "I'm thinking about sending some older children to work outside, to feed themselves and help raise the family."

Global Times

A girl takes care of her younger sibling. Photo: IC

 

Children who have worked in cities are conspicuous in Liangshan by their unique hairstyles. Photo: IC

 

Four children pose with a picture of their father who died from taking drugs. Photo: IC

 

Zeriha, 67, is the only adult in his family with eight grandchildren, since his two sons and a daughter have died of drugs or AIDS. Photo: IC

 

Children at work. Photo: IC