A critical assessment of the Minimum Age Convention 138 of 1973 and the worst forms of Child Labour Convention 182 of 1999

Abstract

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) (2010) estimates that there could be more than 306 million children worldwide currently involved in work. Of those children, 215 million are considered to be child labourers. Of the percentage of children who are child labourers, 115 million are exposed to hazardous conditions. Such figures are merely estimates as precise numbers of children in labour are difficult to decipher because many cases of child labour go unreported. Children work in informal settings where they participate in activities such as scavenging, shining shoes, or on family enterprises. Such cases of child labour are not easily visible and are, thus, difficult to regulate. Children also work in the formal sector in a variety of industries such as in agriculture, manufacturing, fishing, construction, and domestic services. The ILO estimates that, of all child labourers, about two thirds (64 percent) are unpaid family workers, while only 21 percent are involved in paid employment, and five percent are self-employed. Children in the rural areas are more likely to work than children in the urban areas. The child labour distribution by sex tilts towards boys with 54 percent participating in labour while only 46 percent of those who work are girls.