ID :
137896
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 22:15
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/137896
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Child labor in Yemen.. Outlaw Phenomenon
By: Fatima al-Aghbari Translated by:
Basheer al-Selwi SANA'A, Aug.15 (Saba)-The child labor phenomenon in Yemen has
worsened since
1960s of the last century because of the economic deterioration and high rates of
poverty, as field studies have shown.
The socialists see that the aggravation of this phenomenon is also linked to the
early marriage problem.
Deteriorating economic situation in Yemen, especially in light of the global
economic crisis and the accompanying high prices and the individuals' low income,
plays a significant
role in the growing of child labor phenomenon.
In recent years, the phenomenon has significantly exacerbated, as many children
started flocking to the labor market to work in different areas such as
restaurants, auto
repair shops, construction sites and selling in streets and other works, which may
mostly be a threat to children, especially those under 15 years.
In addition to, the children's directing to the labor market deprived many of their
rights, primarily the right of education and health.
In a recent study by the social researcher Abdullah al-Jaradi, the study suggested
that the customs and traditions in Yemen are that push children to work in
agriculture
fields of the family and then put them in the labor market.
"Early marriage is the reason behind pushing a large proportion of children to the
labor market due to take responsibility for a family suddenly", al-Jaradi said in
this
context.
Law.. Without application The Child Rights Law in Yemen prohibits the employment of
those under the age of fourteen and the employment of children in industrial jobs
before
reaching the age of fifteen.
The law requires employers to conduct medical examination of children before
admission to work to make sure their appropriate physical fitness and health for
the work they
enroll in.
The work hours should not exceed six hours, and there should be a rest period of
not less than an hour. However, due to the absence of application of the rules of
law and
lack of control, some employers have attracted children in need to work for low
wages, taking advantage of this lack of control by the competent authorities and
non-affiliation
of these children to unions and organizations protecting their rights.
Female children labor is more than males In a study released by Ministry of Social
Affairs and Labor, conducted in October 2002, the number of working children
amounted
to about 9.1 per cent out of the total workforce, 48.6 percent of them were males
and 51.4 per cent females.
This percentage increases particularly in rural areas, where women begin to work at
early age in agriculture area.On another hand, another study on child labor,
carried
out by a Swedish organization in cooperation with UNICEF, indicated that there is 32
per cent of children are being subjected to regular harassments and 1.2 per cent of
them
are being subjected to sexual harassments.
It is noteworthy that children, who come from distant provinces to work, are
living away from their families, which makes them vulnerable to harassment risks.
Children's Labor Department In 2000, a department for children's labor was
established at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.
About this step, Director of the Children's Labor Department, Muna Ali Salem, said
that the main goal of the establishment of this department is to plan policies of
the
phenomenon of children's labor and react and amend legislations and raise awareness
among families, employers and children themselves.
"The department also aims at eliminating the worst forms of labor", said Salem .She
pointed out that there is a global intention to get rid of this phenomenon, saying
"
More than 80 countries ratified in Netherlands last month on a road map to stop the
worst children's labor until 2016", she said.
Salem believes that the phenomenon of children's labor is spread in all Yemeni
provinces, but it is significantly localized in areas of big economic activity,
such as the
capital Sana'a, Taiz, Aden and other provinces, which attract small and cheap labor.
In front of this growing phenomenon, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has
recently trained a number of labor inspectors nationwide, who make continued field
trips
to monitor and inspect places where children work.
These inspectors are also working on the application of the law that prohibits
employment of children in dangerous places that are not commensurate with their age
and health.
Basheer al-Selwi SANA'A, Aug.15 (Saba)-The child labor phenomenon in Yemen has
worsened since
1960s of the last century because of the economic deterioration and high rates of
poverty, as field studies have shown.
The socialists see that the aggravation of this phenomenon is also linked to the
early marriage problem.
Deteriorating economic situation in Yemen, especially in light of the global
economic crisis and the accompanying high prices and the individuals' low income,
plays a significant
role in the growing of child labor phenomenon.
In recent years, the phenomenon has significantly exacerbated, as many children
started flocking to the labor market to work in different areas such as
restaurants, auto
repair shops, construction sites and selling in streets and other works, which may
mostly be a threat to children, especially those under 15 years.
In addition to, the children's directing to the labor market deprived many of their
rights, primarily the right of education and health.
In a recent study by the social researcher Abdullah al-Jaradi, the study suggested
that the customs and traditions in Yemen are that push children to work in
agriculture
fields of the family and then put them in the labor market.
"Early marriage is the reason behind pushing a large proportion of children to the
labor market due to take responsibility for a family suddenly", al-Jaradi said in
this
context.
Law.. Without application The Child Rights Law in Yemen prohibits the employment of
those under the age of fourteen and the employment of children in industrial jobs
before
reaching the age of fifteen.
The law requires employers to conduct medical examination of children before
admission to work to make sure their appropriate physical fitness and health for
the work they
enroll in.
The work hours should not exceed six hours, and there should be a rest period of
not less than an hour. However, due to the absence of application of the rules of
law and
lack of control, some employers have attracted children in need to work for low
wages, taking advantage of this lack of control by the competent authorities and
non-affiliation
of these children to unions and organizations protecting their rights.
Female children labor is more than males In a study released by Ministry of Social
Affairs and Labor, conducted in October 2002, the number of working children
amounted
to about 9.1 per cent out of the total workforce, 48.6 percent of them were males
and 51.4 per cent females.
This percentage increases particularly in rural areas, where women begin to work at
early age in agriculture area.On another hand, another study on child labor,
carried
out by a Swedish organization in cooperation with UNICEF, indicated that there is 32
per cent of children are being subjected to regular harassments and 1.2 per cent of
them
are being subjected to sexual harassments.
It is noteworthy that children, who come from distant provinces to work, are
living away from their families, which makes them vulnerable to harassment risks.
Children's Labor Department In 2000, a department for children's labor was
established at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.
About this step, Director of the Children's Labor Department, Muna Ali Salem, said
that the main goal of the establishment of this department is to plan policies of
the
phenomenon of children's labor and react and amend legislations and raise awareness
among families, employers and children themselves.
"The department also aims at eliminating the worst forms of labor", said Salem .She
pointed out that there is a global intention to get rid of this phenomenon, saying
"
More than 80 countries ratified in Netherlands last month on a road map to stop the
worst children's labor until 2016", she said.
Salem believes that the phenomenon of children's labor is spread in all Yemeni
provinces, but it is significantly localized in areas of big economic activity,
such as the
capital Sana'a, Taiz, Aden and other provinces, which attract small and cheap labor.
In front of this growing phenomenon, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has
recently trained a number of labor inspectors nationwide, who make continued field
trips
to monitor and inspect places where children work.
These inspectors are also working on the application of the law that prohibits
employment of children in dangerous places that are not commensurate with their age
and health.
