Working Children

Work can be defined as any activity that entails mental or physical effort carried out with a specific aim. When discussing children’s work, however, work more often refers to activities that generate income, are remunerated in kind, or contribute to the livelihood of the child, his or her family, household, and/or community. As is the case with adults, the range of economic activities performed by children and young people is extremely broad: it can be regular or occasional work, paid, unpaid, or remunerated in kind. Children work under very different conditions, including forced labour, employment under fair and safe or conversely exploitative conditions, self-employment, and unpaid work within the family, with a number of variations. The qualities and values of children and young people attach ...