More than half of the world’s estimated 215 million child labourers are engaged in hazardous work, which puts them at the risk of injury, illness or death, according to the United Nations’ International Labour Organisation (ILO).
In its new report, ‘Children in hazardous work: what we know, what we need to do,’ the ILO cites studies from both industrialised and developing countries that indicate that a child labourer suffers a work-related accident, illness or psychological trauma every minute.
The document, released yesterday as the UN, prepared to mark the World Day against Child Labour tomorrow, says that although the overall number of children aged 5 to 17 in hazardous work declined between 2004 and 2008, child workers in the 15 to 17 age bracket rose 20 per cent during the same period, from 52 million to 62 million.
“Despite important progress over the last decade, the number of children in child labour worldwide — and particularly in hazardous work — remains high,” Mr Juan Somavia, ILO Director-General, has said.
“Governments, employers and workers must act together to give strong leadership in shaping and implementing the policies and action that can end child labour. The persistence of child labour is a clear indictment of the prevailing model of growth.
“Tackling work that jeopardises the safety, health or morals of children must be a common and urgent priority,” said Mr Somavia.
The ILO Global Report on Child Labour warned last year that efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour were slowing down and expressed concern that the global economic crisis could halt the progress towards the goal of eliminating the worst forms of child labour by 2016.
The new report calls for fresh efforts to ensure that all children remain in educational institutions at least until the minimum age of employment. It urges countries to prepare lists of hazardous work as required by ILO child labour conventions.