Child labor: In the world’s poorest

least developed
1 in every 4 children countries, around 1 in 4
children (ages 5 to 17)
are engaged in labor
that is considered
detrimental to their
health and
development.

The prevalence of
child labor is highest in
sub-Saharan Africa,
with 29%.
 In almost regions, boys
Gender Disparities and girls are equally
likely to be involved in
child labor.

A notable exception is,

Latin America and
Caribbean where boys
are more likely to be
engaged in child labor
than girls.
Child Labor in Bolivia
 Bolivia has the world’s lowest minimum age for child labor.
 Children can work for themselves or their families at the age of 10.
 Once they hit the age of 12, they can work for others.
 Bolivia’s 2014 law allowing children to work is unique in the world.
 Children helped write it and many child workers support it. They say
it empowers and protects children.

 According to UNICEF, 850,000 children work in Bolivia.

Bolivia’s Child Labor: Exploitation or Tradition?
(video)
Children in the Philippines
• The 2011 National Survey on Children indicated that 3.2 million
children aged 5 to 17 years old engage in child labor, of which
approximately 3 million work in hazardous labor.
Children’s Work by Sector and Activity
 Child labor vs. Child Work
Child Labour
Work burdens the child; too heavy for child’s
age and capabilities
Very long hours of work; child has limited or
no time for school, play or rest
Child is subject to psychological, verbal or
physical/ sexual abuse
Child's work is used for exploitative or
operations or disguised illegal activities
Workplace poses hazards to child’s health
and life
Child Work
Work is appropriate to child’s age and mental
capabilities
Limited hours of work; does not hinder the
child from going to school, playing or resting
Child’s physical, emotional and mental well-
being are nourished even in the work
environment
Child's work serves as a vehicle for social
advancement and improvement in the child's
quality of life
Workplace is kept safe and child friendly;
does not pose hazards to health and life of
the child
 Legal Framework for the
Worst Forms of Child Labor
 Laws and Regulations on Child Labor
Standard
Minimum Age for Work
Minimum Age for
Hazardous Work
Identification of
Hazardous Occupations
or Activities Prohibited for
Children
Prohibition of Forced
Labor
Meets Int’l Age Legislation
Standards:
YES or NO
Yes 15 Article 139 of the Labor Code; Section 16 of the Act
Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of
Domestic Workers
Yes 18 Article 139 of the Labor Code
Yes Department Order 149 and 149-A on Guidelines in
Assessing and Determining Hazardous Work in the
Employment of Persons Below 18 Years of Age;
Sections 12-D and 16 of the Special Protection of
Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and
Discrimination Act
Yes Sections 4-5 of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in
Persons Act; Sections 12-D and 16 of the Special
Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation,
and Discrimination Act.
Working child provisions
• Under Republic Act No. 7610, a child may be employed under
exceptional cases provided that a working child permit is secured
under DOLE.
• The requirements for a working child permit includes ensuring
measures to protect the health, safety, and morals of the child and
to prevent their exploitation and discrimination.
• Child laborers are also protected under Republic Act No. 9231, an
“Act Providing for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor
and Affording Stronger Protection for the Working Child."
Suggested Government Actions to
Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
1. Enforcement
2. Coordination
a. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Bureau of
Working Conditions
b. Rescue the Child Laborers Quick Action Teams (Sagip Batang
Manggagawa – SBM QAT)
c. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
d. Philippine National Police (PNP)
e. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
f. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
Suggested Government Actions to
Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
3. Government Policies
4. Social Programs
a. Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program)
b. Campaign for Child-Labor Free Barangays
c. Livelihood for Parents of Child Laborers (Kabuhayan para sa
Magulang ng Batang Manggagawa)
Government Policy

• The Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) works

towards the prevention and progressive elimination of
child labor through protection, withdrawal, healing and
reintegration of child workers into a caring society.
• Aims to remove one million children from child labor by
the year 2025. The implementation was led by the
Department of Labor and Employment’s Bureau of
Workers with Special Concerns.
World Day Against Child Labor
• Around 500 child laborer from different parts of Metro Manila joined
June 23, 2018, observance of World Day against Child Labor which
carried the theme “Ligtas sa Paggawa, Malusog na Batang
Malaya.”
• The Philippines has committed to remove 630,000 children from child
labor by 2022.
• Virginia Elisan, barangay chairwoman of Bgy 274 in Manila, in her
welcome message, appealed to the public not to give up on
children who opted to work to help their family rather than study.
“Urge them to go to school for education is very important.”
• ILO emphasized that the returns on the investment in ending child
labor are incalculable. Children who are free from the burden of
child labor are able to fully realize their rights to education, leisure,
and healthy development.