Bolivia: 848,000 Children Working in Hazardous Conditions

On June 13, 2013 Jornada reported a study performed in coordination with the National Statistics Institute (INE) indicating that 848, 000 children aged 5-14 are currently working under dangerous conditions in Bolivia. Many of the activities include cane and chestnut harvesting, mining, fishing, bricklaying, the sale of alcoholic beverages, garbage collection, cleaning hospitals and security services.

According to the Director of Child Labor, among the causes that lead children to become involved in such activities are poverty, family breakdown, abandonment, parental irresponsibility and lack of employment. Moreover, women are the most vulnerable, and the incidence of child labor is higher in rural areas. The Director of Child Labor also called on the media to assist in raising awareness on the violation of the rights of children and adolescents, as there are still employers who continue to hire children and adolescents because they can offer them lower wages. Read Article