The most serious consequences of child labor are interruption or termination of education
According to the analysis of experts included in 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), children working early often have to work in conditions that are not suitable for their physical condition, leading to the risk of: Work accidents; Exhaustion, malnutrition; affects long-term physical development.
Report on the main results of the state of children participating in labor and child labor in Vietnam in 2023, published in 2024 by the General Statistics Office, shows that there are 269,604 child workers, of which about 32,6 thousand children have at least 1 health problem due to work, accounting for 12.1% of female workers.
Thus, nearly every 100 children's workers (LTE) have health problems; 65.9% of female workers have to work more than the prescribed number of hours; 18.6% of female workers have to work at night; 35% have to do dangerous work.
In reality, many children have to work long hours continuously, with little rest, causing the body to continue to be under new pressure before recovering. These damages may not be noticeable immediately, but they leave long-term consequences as children grow up.
In addition to physical health, early labor also has a serious impact on children's mental health. Many children fall into the following states: Stress, prolonged anxiety; Self-consciousness, feeling inferior to their friends; Many children even fall into a state of fear and resignation when being treated unfairly.
Having to face the pressure of making a living early causes children to lose their sense of safety and childhood joy - important factors for healthy psychological development.
One of the most serious consequences of child labor is interruption or termination of education. When children do not have adequate education, they lack the basic knowledge and skills needed to access better jobs in the future.
In reality, early labor does not help children become "more good at their job", but often only Associates them with simple jobs, low income, and few opportunities for promotion when they are older.
More worryingly, those consequences are what they have to endure for a long time until they are adults. Children who used to be child laborers are at high risk: Unstable jobs; Low income; facility to fall into poverty when they are older.
This shows that child labor not only affects the present, but also "lockes" the door to the future, making it difficult for children to escape the cycle of poverty.
Child labor is not the fault of children, but children have a role in changing
Experts emphasize that children are not the cause of child labor. However, when equipped with knowledge and skills, children can play an active role in preventing and eliminating this condition. Children need to understand that they have the right to protection, comprehensive learning and development.
What can children do to contribute to the elimination of child labor?
Experts from the Department of Parents and Children - Ministry of Health recommend that children can proactively learn about their rights, say "no" to dangerous, overly Labor-related jobs, share with parents and teachers when faced with difficulties, go to hotline, and child protection officers in the locality when abused or exploited.
Speaking out not only helps protect yourself, but also helps prevent similar cases from happening to other children.
Children can also: Sharing knowledge about child labor with friends; Warning each other about unsafe jobs; Encouraging friends to continue going to school. These small actions contribute to creating a safer environment for children in the community.
If you have to work for a living, keep the following in mind:
- Employment must have the consent of you and your parents, mother or guardian
- Employers must be responsible for complying with legal regulations
Early labor is not the only way to maturity. Learning, being protected and developing safely is the foundation for a sustainable future.
When they clearly understand the consequences of child labor and dare to speak up, they themselves are contributing to changing their lives and those of other children.
