Causecast

by CLAIRE DALTON, Contributing Writer

1. Child labor is defined as work that interferes with a child’s education. Children under 12 can complete light work, and children 15-18 can complete work so long as it is not classified as hazardous. These rules and regulations were created and are upheld by the International Labor Organization, though many countries have additional labor laws and restrictions.

2. The UCW (Understanding Children’s Work) has reported that an estimated 317.4 million children ages 5-17 are “economically active,” though UNICEF reports that about 158 million children ages 5-14 worldwide take part in exploitative labor. This disparity in reports is cause by the different age ranges used in the calculations, and that light labor and domestic labor are only included in UCW’s figure.

3. In 2006, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) reported that agriculture accounted for 70% of child labor worldwide. Agriculture is considered to be one of the three most dangerous fields of work because of the machinery and the pesticides involved. Two other major industries that use child labor are construction and mining. Can you imagine a child from your neighborhood working in a mine? Probably not. Then why are we standing by while children around the world mix pesticides and operate machinery meant for adults?

4. Human Trafficking is one of the most horrific aspects of child labor. While boys in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda are at risk of becoming child soldiers, as many as 1.8 million children globally are exploited by the multi-billion dollar sex trade each year, most of them girls.

5. June 12, 2009, marked the 10-year anniversary of the ILO commission to end the worst forms of child labor, noted this with the annual World Day Against Child Labour. It was in May of 2006 that the worldwide rate of child labor was declining for the first time, but as our global finances stumble and poverty increases worldwide, this progress has been threatened and risks stopping or even being reversed.

6. Girls are more likely to become child laborers. The ILO has attributed this fact, in part, to the preference of families in many countries to continue their sons’ education over that of their daughters. As of June 2009, there were an estimated 100 million female child laborers worldwide.

7. Most organizations working to end child labor see access to education as a part of the solution, as well as the end goal. In November 1989, the International Convention on the Rights of the Child signed their dedication to this cause. This November, UNICEF, Amnesty International, Handicap International, and the Global March Against Child Labour organization are celebrating the 20th anniversary of this signature with events around the theme “The Rights to Grow Up.” In putting this together, they are asking for input on the state of child labor in communities from around the world. These analyses will then be put on a map for an exhibition in France.

8. Considering boycotting brands that employ children in their sweatshops? UNICEF found that when public attention was on child labor practices in specific communities, many children were let go from their jobs and turned instead to more dangerous and physically-demanding jobs, such as “stone-crushing, street hustling, and prostitution.” In lieu of boycotting, you should instead get involved in organizations focused on increasing accessibility to education for children and ending poverty in communities and countries in need.

9. There are a number of organizations that you should keep an eye on if you’re interested in helping to eliminate child labor.

Diamond Empowerment Fund — Focused on education for children in Africa.

Save the Children — Focused on health, education, and general well-being for children worldwide.

Child Labor Coalition

International Confederation of Free Trade Unions

Kiva and Care — Both work towards eliminating poverty.

10. One of the most powerful things you can do to help end child labor is continue the conversations surrounding this practice and raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of it. Blog about it, volunteer your time with some of the nonprofits mentioned above, and share with others what you’ve learned.

As poverty is inextricably linked with child labor, it is also important to focus on eradicating global poverty by donating time and money to organizations that raise the quality of life for children and their families.

Photo by David A. Villa, Flickr.