Everyone has a role to play in ending child labour in agriculture. This includes different ministries in charge of agriculture and rural development, labour and health, agricultural extension workers, pesticide control boards, researchers, producers’ organizations, farmers, etc.
Child labour is defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. It refers to work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children; and/or interferes with their schooling. Hazardous child labour is work that is performed by children in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. Children below the age of 18 years must be protected from hazardous work. Handling and using pesticides is considered hazardous work and is not allowed below the age of 18. Children are particularly vulnerable and can be exposed to hazardous pesticides directly and indirectly.
The FAO Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention and the Child Labour in Agriculture Prevention team within the Decent Rural Employment team in ESP have established a long-term collaboration. Different approaches have been carried out in addressing hazardous child labour in agriculture and reduce the risks of pesticides at institutional and field level: a) by supporting knowledge generation, capacity development as well as livelihood enhancement schemes to allow families to be less economically dependent on the labour of their children and prioritize education and safe, age-appropriate tasks; b) by raising awareness among various stakeholders on the issue; c) by collecting data on pesticide poisoning and improving the legal framework on pesticide management.
Two publications on occupational safety and health, child labour reduction and pesticide exposure were published in March 2021 providing an array of information, useful tools and case studies:
- The technical note for agricultural stakeholders “Addressing hazardous child labour and reducing risks posed by hazardous pesticides”
- The Information note and call for action “Eliminating hazardous child labour through safe and sustainable farming practices”
Ms. Nadia Correale