[15/August/2010]

By: Fatima al-Aghbari

Translated by: Basheer al-Selwi

SANA'A, Aug.15 (Saba)-The child labor phenomenon in Yemen has worsened since 1960s of the last century because of the economic deterioration and high rates of poverty, as field studies have shown.

The socialists see that the aggravation of this phenomenon is also linked to the early marriage problem.

Deteriorating economic situation in Yemen, especially in light of the global economic crisis and the accompanying high prices and the individuals' low income, plays a significant role in the growing of child labor phenomenon.

In recent years, the phenomenon has significantly exacerbated, as many children started flocking to the labor market to work in different areas such as restaurants, auto repair shops, construction sites and selling in streets and other works, which may mostly be a threat to children, especially those under 15 years.

In addition to, the children's directing to the labor market deprived many of their rights, primarily the right of education and health.

In a recent study by the social researcher Abdullah al-Jaradi, the study suggested that the customs and traditions in Yemen are that push children to work in agriculture fields of the family and then put them in the labor market.

"Early marriage is the reason behind pushing a large proportion of children to the labor market due to take responsibility for a family suddenly", al-Jaradi said in this context.

Law.. Without application

The Child Rights Law in Yemen prohibits the employment of those under the age of fourteen and the employment of children in industrial jobs before reaching the age of fifteen.

The law requires employers to conduct medical examination of children before admission to work to make sure their appropriate physical fitness and health for the work they enroll in.

The work hours should not exceed six hours, and there should be a rest period of not less than an hour. However, due to the absence of application of the rules of law and lack of control, some employers have attracted children in need to work for low wages, taking advantage of this lack of control by the competent authorities and non-affiliation of these children to unions and organizations protecting their rights.

Female children labor is more than males

In a study released by Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, conducted in October 2002, the number of working children amounted to about 9.1 per cent out of the total workforce, 48.6 percent of them were males and 51.4 per cent females.

This percentage increases particularly in rural areas, where women begin to work at early age in agriculture area. On another hand, another study on child labor, carried out by a Swedish organization in cooperation with UNICEF, indicated that there is 32 per cent of children are being subjected to regular harassments and 1.2 per cent of them are being subjected to sexual harassments.

It is noteworthy that children, who come from distant provinces to work, are living away from their families, which makes them vulnerable to harassment risks.

Children's Labor Department In 2000, a department for children's labor was established at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.

About this step, Director of the Children's Labor Department, Muna Ali Salem, said that the main goal of the establishment of this department is to plan policies of the phenomenon of children's labor and react and amend legislations and raise awareness among families, employers and children themselves.

"The department also aims at eliminating the worst forms of labor", said Salem .She pointed out that there is a global intention to get rid of this phenomenon, saying " More than 80 countries ratified in Netherlands last month on a road map to stop the worst children's labor until 2016", she said.

Salem believes that the phenomenon of children's labor is spread in all Yemeni provinces, but it is significantly localized in areas of big economic activity, such as the capital Sana'a, Taiz, Aden and other provinces, which attract small and cheap labor.

In front of this growing phenomenon, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has recently trained a number of labor inspectors nationwide, who make continued field trips to monitor and inspect places where children work.

These inspectors are also working on the application of the law that prohibits employment of children in dangerous places that are not commensurate with their age and health.

Saba