Child labor means children working in any field of work at cheapest prices which deprives them from the

happiness and the enjoyment of childhood life. It is very common in the developing nations and the countries which have a poor and cheap industry. It has become the major and continuously increasing problem throughout the world. It is taking place in different shapes in the third world countries. Major Causes of Child Labor International Labor Organization suggested the following reasons of child labour out of which major causes are as follows :

Poverty is the greatest causes behind this evil problem Maternal and Paternal Illiteracy Cheap and poor industry Weak Laws relating to children rites etc.

List of Top 10 Child Labour Countries in the World

RANK

COUNTRY

CHILDREN FROM 10-14 YEARS OLD PERCENTAGE 51.14% 51.10% 48.50% 43.79% 43.62% 43.45% 42.45% 42.05% 41.35% 39.15%

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

MALI BHUTAN BURUNDI UGANDA NIGER BURKINA ETHIOPIA NEPAL RWANDA KENYA

UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, estimates that 158 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are engaged in child labor, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the organization, more than one third of children in Sub-Saharan Africa work, most of them in the agricultural sector. Maplecroft notes a strong link between household poverty and child labor. When the poor's children are kept out of school to work, they have limited prospects for upward social mobility. This creates a cycle of poverty for generations.

Child labour in Europe: a persisting challenge

Governments 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. Hazardous and dangerous jobs 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 According to UN research, 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. In Bulgaria child labour is apparently very common in the tobacco industry, with some children working up to 10 hours a day. In Moldova reports indicate that school directors, farms and agricultural cooperatives have signed contracts that require students to help with the harvest.

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.

What should be done?

Governments urgently need to pay specific attention to the problems of child labour, to investigate, collect data and monitor. Most countries have adequate legislation but fail to monitor actual practices.

The best interests of the child should be the guiding principle, as stated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the standards of the European Social Charter. The authorities should carefully evaluate the potential impact on child labour caused by budgetary cuts in the field of education and training. They should also evaluate the impact on child labour of cuts in social policies and support to families: the main cause for children having to work is poverty. Labour inspection agencies should be in a position to do their work adequately.