In spite of the breakthrough of Convention 182, the focus on the worst forms of child labour has been waning. Research indicates that the majority of NGOs work with children who perform light activities for only a few hours a day, which are actually tolerated under the ILO convention 182 norms. At the same time this relative absence of action is paralleled by a lack of information. Vast sectors are structurally overlooked and understudied. Additionally the qualitative material is very poor, excluding the perspectives of the child labourers and their parents.

To tackle this lack of information and contribute to policy making in the field of child protection, the IREWOC Foundation started an action-based research in September 2006 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Latin America. Research questions were designed to accommodate policy making by first mapping the ground reality of child labourers and their families and to subsequently identify best practices of governmental and nongovernmental organisations in this field. A special focus within the research is on the relation between the worst forms of child labour and education.

Based on partnerships and former research experience, IREWOC chose to conduct this research on the Latin American continent. Research was carried out in Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala. The selected sectors were mining, commercial agriculture, markets and waste collecting. Within these sectors NGOs working on the worst forms of child labour will be evaluated as to make an inventory of best practices.

The research results were presented to a selection of policy makers and members of the press, on Thursday 22nd May 2008, in The Hague, The Netherlands.

The report will be translated into Spanish in the near future.

The individual country reports will not be published in hard copy, but will be posted here as they become available for download>>>>

Peru - Mining
Peru - Waste processing and markets
Bolivia - Mining
Bolivia - Sugar cane plantations
Guatemala - Quarrying
Guatemala - Coffee plantations

The results of the fieldwork were presented at local meetings prior to the finalization of the summary report. Concise recordings of these procedures are included in the summary report.

In January 2006 Irewoc started a child-based research project on deprived children and education in which the focus is on the realities of the children and their parents. This study aims to deepen the understanding as to why many children do not go to school by collecting insights from the source. Are the reasons economic, cultural or are they related to the relevance and quality of education? Detailed anthropological fieldwork was carried out in areas with alarming figures regarding non-schooling and illiteracy in Africa (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya), South Asia (Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh).

Education in Rural Areas: Obstacles and Relevance
The Summary Report of the main findings from the seven country reports is available for download here>>>. This report is also available in hard copy; please send your order to info@irewoc.nl

The country reports will not be published in hard copy, but will be posted here as they become available for download>>>>

Burkina Faso
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Nepal
Pakistan

This study was conducted in Peru, Bolivia, Senegal, India, Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda.  The principal objective was to analyse how working children in selected developing countries are organised, and how, by their participation/non-participation in organised movements, they have effected changes in their working circumstances, in their self-esteem and in their prospects. Positive outcomes have been claimed by the child labour unions and by their protagonists. This research aimed to establish whether the lofty ideals are realised, and whether or not such unions contribute to condoning and legitimising child labour.

read the country/region reports>>>>
Peru
Bolivia
India
West Africa
East Africa

This study contributes to the understanding of African child labour migration, including child trafficking, a type of child labour migration whereby children are actively recruited and transported by adults. Both practices often lead to exploitation of children and especially child trafficking is currently receiving growing attention as a serious violation of children’s rights.
In this study, explanations for the occurrence and persistence of child labour migration were investigated by looking both at the child catchment area, i.e. communities and families that are affected by the phenomenon, and on the farms where the children are being employed.
The focus of this study was on rural-rural child labour migration, which generally involves the migration (including trafficking) of rural children to commercial cotton plantations elsewhere.
Read the report "Going to Kompienga">>

This book presents a micro-level study through the eyes of children in half a dozen different locations in India. Read more >>

A very limited number of copies are available (euro 25, postage included)