The problem of underage labour persists due to ongoing economic struggles that force families to prioritise income over their children’s well-being and Education in Nigeria and various regions across the globe. Recent data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reveals that about 160 million children were victims of underage labour at the beginning of 2020. Almost 10% of children globally are affected, with half involved in dangerous work that puts their well-being and growth at risk. It is mainly found in the agricultural sector, where about 70% of children are involved in farming and other related activities.
These youths, typically of a young age, face risks such as exposure to hazardous materials, working with dangerous machinery, and performing physically demanding tasks in harsh weather conditions. About 72% of it occurs within family settings, such as small farms or family businesses, despite the belief that little ones are safer working within their families. It can pose the same dangers as work outside the family, jeopardising a kid’s well-being, security, and ethical growth. Youths may be pushed to work for various reasons, but they are typically forced to do so due to financial struggles within the household.
Agriculture is the most common sector of child abuse nationwide.
Poverty, the unexpected sickness of a caretaker, or the absence of a primary provider can lead families to depend on their younger ones to work for their basic needs. Migrant and refugee youths are at a high risk of being trafficked or forced into work as they escape from conflict, disaster, or poverty. They often endure violence, abuse, and serious Human Rights abuses. Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation, while armed forces or criminal organisations may exploit boys. Underage employment is when little ones are made to do work unsuitable for them due to their age or because the work is hazardous.
While chores or part-time jobs during school breaks can teach kids responsibility, underage labour risks their health, safety, and ethics. It can be as severe as modern slavery, involving the trafficking or forced recruitment of youths into armed conflicts. Some kids are pushed to manufacture and traffic drugs or are forced into prostitution. It affects their physical and Mental Health and prevents them from receiving Education and healthcare, limiting their growth and opportunities. The 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Labor emphasises the persistent issue of underage labour, with Agriculture being the most common sector, representing about 60% of cases reported.
Quality education access will prevent youths from entering illegal work.
Furthermore, underage are frequently exploited in various industries, including agriculture, mining, construction, and domestic work. The agriculture sector, which involves herding Livestock and growing crops like coffee, cotton, and cocoa, is responsible for most cases at 86.67%. Meanwhile, the service sector sees underage engaged in domestic and street-related jobs, with domestic work for 40% of cases and street-related work for 33.33%. The most severe instances of it are categorised as the Categorical Worst Forms of Child Labor, which include extreme exploitation like commercial sexual exploitation and forced labour.
About 66.67% of these worst forms of hard labour involve forced work or exploitation in various industries. Moreover, addressing it can start with providing education. Ensuring youths can afford and access quality education can be prevented by ensuring they enter the workforce and helping them create better prospects for themselves and their communities. Governments must focus on implementing policies that support positive societal transformation, protect little ones from exploitation, and guarantee access to education that will equip them to become productive workforce members in the future.
Related Article: Child labour remains an issue for Nigeria
Contributing resources to NGOs striving to liberate younger ones from harmful work conditions and offer them educational opportunities can have an enduring impact. These actions are crucial in protecting youth’s fundamental rights and empowering them to overcome Poverty through education. It is crucial to raise public attention to its negative impacts and educate communities and parents about the risks it brings to their well-being and society. By increasing awareness, communities can unlock potential in education and job opportunities and encourage a healthier Economy that protects youth from exploitation in the long term.