Child Labour

Child labour is the employment of children in any sector of work which would deter them from their childhood. This is usually the case in poorer countries as it interests with their chances of being educated. Their main aim is to earn money for the family which usually happens. 

This can affect them in many ways mentally and physically. Not learning how to read or write or not being able to socialise and have their stages of growing up. It can be dangerous as hiring young children in jobs for example factory work which tends to happen. 

Clothing companies such as Nike and Primark have been accused of this as they have employed many children in countries such as Bangladesh India in Asia. They have hired many children into their factories and there has been many documentaries how the process for the children. There have been reports of children suffering and being injured during their time during work at these factories as they have to deal with using sewing needles and machines and they have been injured on many occasions due to this. Primark had been accused for only paying there workers 60p for the day.

Nike said it would raise the minimum age for hiring new workers at shoe factories to 18 and the minimum for new workers at other plants to 16, in countries where it is common for 14-year-olds to hold such jobs. It will not require the dismissal of underage workers already in place.

Asia child labour is accounted for which is very high figures as Asia has one of the biggest populations which in total is around 114 million of work the workforce is child labour. In Africa 32% of its workforce is child labour which is nearly a third of the total workforce. As you can see Africa has the highest percentage of child labour out of the total workforce.

In an environment of weak labour legislation enforcement, the US Department of State reports that there are 10 to 11.5 million child labourers in Pakistan. Many of these children work in the agriculture sector or as domestics in homes. The US Department of State also indicates that an estimated 70% of non-agricultural work takes place in small workshops that may elude inspection, as this is only required for facilities employing 10 or more.

They worked in agriculture, home-based assembly operations, factories, and in services such as newsies. Some worked night shifts lasting 12 hours. With the rise of household income, availability of schools and passage of child labour laws, the incidence rates of child labour fell.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/oct/28/ethicalbusiness.retail

In 2010, Africa had the highest incidence rates of child labour, with several African nations witnessing over 50 percent of children aged 5–14 working. Worldwide agriculture is the largest employer of child labour. Poverty and lack of schools are considered as the primary cause of child labour.

http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/laborctr/child_labor/about/what_is_child_labour