Children's work is not simply "going to work early"
According to regulations, child labor is the participation of children in labor activities that are not suitable for their age, causing negative impacts on health, physical and mental development or learning, or are in a group of work prohibited by law.
This means that not just going to work to earn money is wrong, but if work makes children tired, drop out of school, work overtime or face danger, it is child labor and needs to be prevented.
The document "What do you know about child labor" issued by the Department of Parents and Children (Ministry of Health) in coordination with the International Labor Organization (ILO) has provided basic, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-reach information so that children can equip themselves with knowledge and luggage, before they intend to participate in any work.
Children's activities not allowed
Vietnamese law strictly prohibits children from participating in the following jobs: Heavy, toxic, or dangerous; Exposure to dangerous machinery and chemicals; Working at night or working for long hours; The work affects physical and mental development.
However, in reality, many children are not fully informed about the list of prohibited jobs, leading to accepting to do harmful things without realizing the risks.
According to the 2019 Labor Code, Decree No. 145/2020/ND-CP and Circular No. 09/2020/TT-BLDTBXH, Vietnamese law strictly prohibits the use of people under 18 years old to do jobs that risk harming the health, physical and mental development of children.
Children are not allowed to do the following jobs:
· Heavy, toxic, dangerous work, which can have a long-term impact on health;
· Direct contact with toxic chemicals, explosives, and flammable substances;
· The operation and use of dangerous machinery and equipment;
· Mineral exploitation, heavy construction, overloading;
· Working in a toxic, polluted environment, loud noises, strong vibrations;
· Working at night, working for long periods exceeding the permitted time;
· Work that risks harming children's ethics, dignity and psychological development.
Using children to do the above-mentioned prohibited jobs is a violation of the law, subject to administrative sanctions or handling according to the provisions of criminal law, and seriously violates the right of children to be comprehensively protected and developed.
One of the biggest causes is difficult family economic circumstances. When the family lacks income, children easily feel like they are a "burden" and proactively ask to work early.
In addition, dropping out of school or attending school irregularly makes children have fewer options outside of early labor. Children who are no longer attached to schools are often easily drawn into jobs that are not suitable for their age.
Lack of information and self-defense skills
Many children do not know what rights they have, do not know that they have the right to study, to be protected from dangerous work and exploitation. This lack of understanding makes it easier for children: Believe in promises of high income; Accept overtime work; Upset when being treated unfairly
When children leave their hometowns to the city or work away from home, the risk of becoming child labor is even higher. Far from home, without supervision, children are vulnerable to exploitation, low wages or working in unsafe conditions.
Many children do not know who to find to help when facing difficulties, leading to long-term acceptance of suffering.
Signs that children may be child laborers
Children need to recognize early signs: Frequent fatigue, pain, no time to study, have fun, have to work too many hours, feel scared, stressed when going to work. If they experience these signs, children need to seek help immediately.
What should children do to protect themselves?
- Learning more about children's rights, child labor and practicing life skills to prevent yourself from being abused or exploited for labor;
- Improve knowledge and practice skills to recognize you as child laborers; talk to teachers, parents, and adults when they know that you have been abused or exploited for labor.
- You should learn a suitable trade if you do not want to study higher after graduating from high school.
Children can: Say "no" to dangerous work; chat with parents and teachers when facing difficulties; reached out to local child protection contacts such as calling Call Center 111, or child protection officers at the People's Committee of the commune/ward, local police, teachers, school board for timely reception, support and intervention.
