BackAccording to Nils Muižnieks, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, there are strong indications that child labour remains a serious problem in Europe and that it might be growing in the wake of the economic crisis. With the recession many European countries have drastically cut social aid. As unemployment soars, many families have found no other solution than sending their children to work.
The prevalence of child labour in developing countries is a well-known problem – according to the International Labour Organisation today more than 250 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 work. In trying to map the situation in Europe, however, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights has found that information is very sparse. In fact, it seems to be a taboo subject.
According to UNESCO, in Georgia 29 percent of children aged 7-14 are working. In Albania the figure is 19 percent. The government of the Russian Federation has estimated that up to 1 million children may be working in the country. In Italy, a study of June 2013 indicates that 5.2 percent of children younger than 16 are working. But from most other countries no data are yet available.
Many of the children working across Europe have extremely hazardous occupations in agriculture, construction, small factories or on the street. This has been reported for example in Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine. Work in agriculture may involve using dangerous machinery and tools, carrying heavy loads and applying harmful pesticides. Working in the streets leaves children vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Other countries at risk are those that were badly affected by austerity measures: Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Portugal. Many children reportedly work long hours also in the United Kingdom. Throughout Europe Roma children are especially at risk. Another particularly vulnerable group are unaccompanied migrants under 18, originating from developing countries.
Governments urgently need to pay specific attention to the problems of child labour. They need to monitor this situation and to use the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Social Charter as guidance for preventive and remedial action, the Commissioner said.
Source: Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe
