Child labour worldwide
Ofcourse no one likes the fact that children work and do not go to school. But despite the fact that child labour is considered regrettable all over the world, there are still more than 215 million child workers worldwide. How is this possible?
What is child labour?
Child Labour is work performed by a child that is likely to interfere with his or her right to education, or to be harmful to their health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. All work done by children under the age of 15 and dangerous work done by children under the age of 18 is illegal. (Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 32)
Facts & figures
According to estimates by the International Labour Organisation, there are 215 million children working worldwide. India has the largest number of child workers. Southern Africa has seen the largest increase in child labour in recent years. In 2008, no less than one-quarter of children there worked.
Why children work and don't go to school
Despite the abhorrence of child labour worldwide, many people accept it as a necessary evil. Poverty is often cited as the main cause of child labour. It is widely believed that families will not be able to cope if their children do not work. Parents simply have no other choice.
Examples
Click here to view and listen to stories of working children worldwide.
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