Child Labor

The Issue
C h il d l a b o r is any work done by children that is exploitativetakes advantage of them, is hazardous, keeps them from getting an education, or is harmful to their health or to their physical, mental, spiritual, or social development.

About

Child laborers work in a variety of jobs. They are employed as domestic workers in homes, as laborers on farms, or as workers in industries such as garment-making or fireworks factories. They may create their own employment by performing tasks such as shoe shining, picking up garbage on rubbish dumps, or hawking goods. In some cases, they are forced or coerced into pornography or prostitution. In conflict situations, children may be voluntarily or forcibly recruited to join armed groups. Most child laborers are in the informal economic sector where they are not protected by laws and regulations. Some work carried out by children and young people is not considered child labor, e.g., helping with appropriate tasks on the family farm after school, assisting with chores around the house, or engaging in paid part-time employment. Such legitimate child work can be a valuable way for children to learn new skills, such as developing responsibility, learning how to manage money, and experiencing the work environment in preparation for future employment and participation in society.

The Facts
W o r l dW ide , there are an estimated 215 million child laborers, ages 5 to 14. Some 115 million

of these children work in hazardous conditions such as the following: Working in mines Working with chemicals and pesticides in agriculture Working with dangerous machinery These forms of labor are likely to have adverse effects on a childs safety, health, and moral development. (Source: ILO and International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), Children in Hazardous Work, 2011 report)
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b a s e d o n t he int er nat io na l la b o r o r ga niz at io ns definition, some of the

worst forms of child labor are the following: Forced and bonded labor Armed conflict Sexual exploitation and child pornography Illicit activities More than one-third of children in sub-Saharan Africa work. (Source: UNICEF Press webpage)
it is e s t im at e d that more than two-thirds of all child labour is in the agricultural sector.

Children in rural areas girls in particular begin agricultural labour as young as 5-7 years old. (Source: UNICEF Press webpage)
C h il d l a b o r is a result of unjust systems and structures within a society. Causes include:

Poverty and gross inequality Gender inequity Adult unemployment Inadequate social protection Poor and inadequate education Desire for consumer goods Crisis situations like national disasters and economic recession HIV and AIDS

Armed conflict Unjust income distribution or land distribution Political instability Discrimination Migration Crime and failure to enforce the law Traditional cultural practices Employers desire for cheap and flexible labor

P o v e rt y, bo t h i n t he ho me a nd at a nat io na l lev el, is the major cause of

child labor. The International Labor Organization points to a strong correlation between income levels and child labor across countries, with the poorest countries registering the highest rates of child labor. Children work because they are too poor not to. Many need to supplement their familys meager incomes. An increasing number of children orphaned by HIV and AIDS and other causes means many more children are heads of households in which children need to work simply to survive. Children who have lost contact with their family or have been abandoned (including street children) work to support themselves. Child labor is not only a consequence of poverty. It is also a cause. If children are prevented from going to school due to child labor, they will remain illiterate. This means that as adults they will not find well-paid jobs and their own children may be forced to work. Child labor can also drive down the wages and working conditions of adult workers, making it more likely that children will need to work to supplement their familys income.
a C C e s s t o e duC at io n affects the incidence of child labor. In some areas, there is

a shortage of adequate schools or teachers available to run classes, denying children an education and therefore encouraging them to seek work. Even where schooling is available, it may be costly. If families cannot afford to send some of their children to school, the children may accompany parents to their workplace rather than being left alone at home. They may also work to earn money so that their siblings can attend school. Where schools are poorly

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resourced or teachers not properly trained, classes can be irrelevant to children, meaning they may prefer to work rather than attend school. Some employers are prepared to take on children as workers for various reasons. Children are often cheaper to employ than adults, and they are easier to exploit because they are often not aware of their rights or are unable to stand up to adults. They can be easily tricked or coerced into dangerous or exploitative work.
C o n s um e r s f r o m indust r ia liz ed C o unt r ies like the United States contribute

to child labor through their consumption patterns. They choose cheaper products without really questioning how these products can afford to be so cheap. This buyer demand encourages companies and suppliers to continue with business practices that allow child labor to be used. Consumers need to be prepared to pay higher prices if they want to live in a fairer world. Some socially responsible companies are taking action to stop children from being used to manufacture their products. Others are making changes because of pressure from consumers and child labor campaigners. They know if they dont there could be negative economic repercussions.

What You Can Do

P r ay f o r Childr en around the world who are being harmed by child labor. Pray for people trying to help these children; pray for a transformation of those who are forcing children into these roles. be C o m e a C hild sPo nso r . For $20 a month, you can help one child escape a life of horror. Go to worldvisionresources.com for more information. t he u.s . dePa rt ment of Labor is compiling a list of goods from foreign countries that are believed to be produced with forced or child labor. For more information, go to www.dol.gov.

Copyright 2012 by World Vision Inc., Mail Stop 321, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716, 253815-3320, wvresources@worldvision.org. All rights reserved. During the preparation of this resource, all citations, facts, figures, Internet URLs, and other cited information were verified for accuracy. World Vision Resources has made every attempt to reference current and valid sources, but we cannot guarantee the content of any source and we are not responsible for any changes that may have occurred since our verification. If you find an error in, or have a question or concern about, any of the information or sources listed within, please contact World Vision Resources.

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About World Vision

W o r l d v is io n is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated

to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of Gods unconditional love for all people. We see a world where each child experiences fullness of life as described in John 10:10. And we know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. Thats how World Vision is unique: We bring 60 years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for childrens physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Partnering with World Vision provides tangible ways to honor God and put faith into action. By working, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families who are struggling to overcome poverty. To find out more about how you can help, visit www.worldvision.org.

About World Vision Resources

e nding gl o b a l Po v ert y and injustice begins with education: understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world. World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision. World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world.

For more information about our resources, contact: World Vision Resources worldvisionresources.com wvresources@worldvision.org

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