All around the world, millions of children are forced into labour each day. Some are made to work in factories, farms, and sales companies, despite the fact that they can be as young as five or six years old. Others are made to work in domestic situations. Many of these children are denied the opportunity to go to school.
At the WCO we believe that every child has the right to a proper childhood, and that no child should be forced to work. Children in third world countries are often forced into working extremely long hours, with little or no pay. They are suppressed with violence and mental abuse.
The WCO is working to put a stop to all child labour. Some of the most harrowing jobs we focus on liberating children from include:
- working in the mines
- timber transportation
- heavy agricultural work
- pottery factories
- handicrafts
- bonded labour
- sales
It is a sad fact, but many child workers tend to be underweight and undernourished, as the conditions they are forced to work in are intensive and unhygienic. In addition to this, children are often exposed to biological, chemical, and physical hazards.
At the WCO we campaign to help remove children from these dangerous situations. Not only are these children forced to work excruciatingly long hours, four out of five don’t even have access to any safety equipment. Injuries and health problems abound.
For the children who don’t get to go to school and who are forced into work instead, their future looks bleak indeed. They will never have the chance to learn the basic life skills they need, in order to look after themselves properly…not unless we help them to get them. And that’s what the WCO does.
