Child Labour

MOL

What is Child Labour?

“Nearly 1 in 10 children is subjected to child labour worldwide, with some forced into hazardous work through trafficking.”

In accordance with the International Labour Organisation, Child Labour is defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. It refers to work that:

Is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children
It interferes with their schooling by:
- Depriving them of the opportunity to attend school,
- Obliging them to leave school prematurely; or
- Requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy work.
All children under age 18 involved in the ‘worst form of child labour
All children 12-14 years old engaged in more than light work.

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Child Labour is a major violation of the rights of the child and obstructs the development of the nation, rather than promote sustained and inclusive economic growth.

Not all work done by children should be classified as Child Labour. Children’s participation in work that does not affect their health and personal development or interferes with their schooling is regarded as being something positive, thus is considered as Child Work.

This includes activities such as helping their parents around the home, assisting in a family business or earning pocket money outside school hours and during school holidays. These activities contribute to children’s development and to the welfare of their families, they provide them with skills and experience, and help to prepare them to be productive members of society during their adult life.

Whether or not particular forms of “work” can be called “child labour” depends on the child’s age, the type and hours of work performed and the conditions under which it is performed.

Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labour!

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