Child Labor is a Human Right Violation

Child labour is defined by international standards as work that is hazardous, demands too many hours, or is performed by children who are too young. Children work because their survival depends on it, because adults take advantage of their vulnerability, and because national education systems are weak. Child labour is sometimes the result of ingrained customs and traditions.

How and why it happens

Even well-intended customs and traditions can be harmful, such as:

• The view that work is good for children because it helps them build character and develop skills
• The tradition that children should follow their parents’ footsteps and learn their trade at an early age
• The importance of traditions that push poor families into debt, such as social occasions or religious events, which are paid off through child labour

Photo by Najeeb Farzad