![](Graphics/Title2.gif) |
MODULE 7: PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
IN OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SECTION 2: AT RISK WORKING POPULATIONS: WOMEN AND CHILDREN Introduction |
OBJECTIVES |
By the end of this Section you should: |
- understand what constitutes child labour and the distinction between child work and child labour;
- understand the focus on campaigns to eliminate the worst forms of child labour;
- understand the role of poverty and under-development in generating the problem of child labour;
- appreciate the hazards of child labour for child health and development;
- understand policy interventions to address child labour;
- understand and be able to apply legal provision that address child labour
|
WHAT CONSTITUTES CHILD LABOUR?
There is a traditional notion of bonded labour or sweatshop workers. But, what of:
- informal sector (for example, taxi touts)?
- pocket money work?
- household chores?
- household task that frees an adult to work?
- work at school, or after school?
|
|
![](Graphics/child1.gif) |
So, the key question is When does work become labour?
KEY DEFINITIONS:
Child labour: UN Definition:
"All forms of economic exploitation and any work that is likely to be hazardous or interfere with the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development"
Child labour: ILO Definition:
"Child labour is remunerated or unremunerated work by a young person under a certain age, the work of which impairs the young person’s personal development, health, safety, well-being physically, mentally and psychologically, impairment of which is in violation of national or international law"
The worst forms of Child Labour are: bonded labour, prostitution, drug trafficking, pornography, armed conflict, to name only a few.
Child labour versus child work:
We must bear in mind that-
- not all child work is necessarily bad;
- limited housework and chores plays role in socialising child ;
- errands for reward form part of self-identity / esteem;
- it is important to make a distinction between child labour and child work.
REFERENCES:
- Presentation on Child Labour.
- Survey of Activities of Young People (SAYP) in Soutn Africa, 1999
- Draft Green Paper on a National Child Labour Action Program
- Draft White Paper on a National Child Labour Action Program
- Child Labour and Occupational Health: Policy proposals for South Africa (Draft)
![](Graphics/Line.GIF)
![](Graphics/next.gif)