NO to Hazardous Child Labour in Agriculture!

According to the latest global estimates (LINK), over 70% of children involved in child labour are to be found in agriculture. That is over 112 million children. While specific data or sectoral splits do not exist for Kosovo, we do know that child labour in agriculture is a present and problematic issue.

One of the problems with agriculture is the high levels of hazardous work, which is inappropriate and dangerous for children to engage in. This includes using heavy and dangerous agricultural machinery, exposure to and use of sharp tools, harmful chemicals, and pesticides, carrying of heavy loads, not to mention the hazards posed to children of engaging in long hours of work in the outdoors, exposure to high heat and humidity or freezing cold temperatures. Such work also impacts on children’s ability to get an education and attend and engage in schooling, or socializing with friends, robbing them of their childhood, as well as future opportunities.

ILO’s Project MAP 16 and the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Rural Development-MAFRDare working to ensure that the legal framework of MAFRD explicitly contributes to prevention and prohibition of hazardous child labour in forestry and agriculture, while farmers are informed on hazardous activities in agriculture banned for children below 18 years of age and related risks.

Let us all say NO to hazardous child labour in agriculture!

Love for every child!