AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PREVAILING FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CHILD LABOUR AND THE WAY FORWARD

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PREVAILING FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CHILD LABOUR AND THE WAY FORWARD

ABSTRACT

This research, titled “An Investigation of the Prevailing Factors Contributing to Child Labor and the Way Forward,” looks into the multifaceted issue of child labor using  Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State as a case study. Employing a survey methodology, the study examines the causes, effects, and potential solutions to this pressing concern. The research population includes the residents of Uyo metropolis, and data is collected through a structured questionnaire to analyze the interplay of various factors leading to child labor. Findings indicate that child labor is predominantly triggered by socio-economic challenges, with poverty, poor parental socio-economic status, inadequate financial support, and misplaced priorities pushing children into the labor force. The consequences of child labor are dire, encompassing early pregnancies, school dropouts, prostitution, and a decline in academic performance. To address this issue, recommendations are offered to family members, church leaders, NGOs, schools, security agencies, government, policymakers, and international organizations. Major recommendations include prioritizing education and family support, raising awareness about child education, providing guidance and counseling services, and launching “Back to School” programs for street-hawking children. These collective efforts aim to create a brighter future for the children of Uyo LGA, liberating them from the hardships of child labor and nurturing their potential for growth and development.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Child rearing customs in Nigeria, as in most developing countries, prescribe that the child should be assigned some domestic work or activities commensurate with his/her age, sex and physical ability. Such activities are carried out within the confines of the family in the process of socialization.  Work in this situation is devoid of exploitation.  It is part of learning through the process of imitation(Okafor, 2010).

Children are society’s most vulnerable people. With no voice to advocate for their rights, they are in a poor position to influence political policy. A child is a young human being below the age of puberty or below the legal age of majority. A child’s place is in school where they can receive a proper education and use it to build a promising future, not just for themselves but for the society in which they live as well. It is the task and moral responsibility of adults and officials in power to priortize basic human rights over the gilded benefits of cheap labor and end this practice permanently. For several years, child labor has been one of the most significant impediments to social progress. In several nations, eliminating all types of child labor is a priority and a long-term target. It is now regarded as a serious problem, especially in developing countries. Child labor applies to children who have lost touch with their upbringing and are unable to enjoy the simple necessities of life.According to the International Labour Organization (ILO, 2013), there are about 215 million children aged five to fourteen who work around the world. They are often mistreated and forced to work long hours in deplorable conditions. This will have a negative impact on their physical, behavioral, and emotional health. These children lack human rights such as access to education and health care. Many child labourers are victims of the worst forms of child labour (WFCL), such as forced or bonded labour, using children in armed conflict, trafficking for exploitation, including sexual exploitation, illicit work or other work which is likely to harm their health, safety or morals (hazardous work). For Children who are  13 and above may do “light work” as long as it does not threaten their health and safety or hinder their education and vocational training. In Nigeria today we have a high number of outside school children who are been used for cheap labour especially in cocoa companies, who give these children hazardous work with little pay. Over the years, child labour in Nigeria has grown past using these children on the farm, now children are been trafficked to other countries to be used as either a sex worker or house help.

1.2      STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM.

Successive governments in the country have over the years made concerted efforts towards the eradication of all forms of violence and abuses on children. This has proven to be very challenging giving the prevalent of child labour in the country. Many studies have been carried out to examine the causes of child labour in Nigeria. Ojo Mathias (2013) conducted a study on the problem of street hawking among the Nigerian children. Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria With selected respondents in a densely populated area of Lagos State. The findings of the study revealed that parents’ levels of education, parents’ occupations and the sizes of the family were significantly related to the problem of child hawkers in the study area. Ekpenyong and Sibiri (2011) carried out a study on street trading and child labour in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State. The study sought to explain the basis of child labour, its causes and its effects on its victims and society as a whole. They found out that hawking is a significant aspect of child labour and is engaged in by children to augment family income.  Ninety eight percent of the respondents were from very poor families opening the door to survival driven occupations.

Aliyu (2006) carried out a study on child labour in Zaria, Nigeria. The study was conducted to determine the health, education and socio-economic consequences of child labour in a northern Nigerian city. The study involved the administration of questionnaires to all children aged 5-15 years engaged in child labour in Zaria city. Sex distribution also revealed that majority of the respondents was male (82%). Out of 200 children  who were engaged in child labour, The present study seeks to debunk or authenticate these findings by trying to understand the views of the public on the factors responsible for street hawking by children.

Salawu and Adekeye (2010) carried out a study on the practice of child labour and attainment of the educational component of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Ilorin metropolis. The study attempts to examine child labour and the world’s aspiration about achieving universal primary education for all boys and girls by year 2015. A sample size of 120 was randomly selected from a target population that constituted all children below the age of 18. Data were collected through the administration of questionnaire items. The study revealed that 52.0% of the respondents had between 7 – 9 children in the family.  The study revealed that majority of those who engaged in child labour were from large families. They found that engagement of children in child labour activities is affecting their schooling. The study revealed that the incidence of child labour is high in Ilorin metropolis and that the major factors responsible for it are poverty, illiteracy, large family size, obnoxious cultural practices, and attitude of children preferring menial jobs in order to have daily savings. The study recommended that the state government should embark on people oriented education policy that will be tailored to the need of the people.  The present study seeks to ascertain the views of the public on the effectiveness of some of the legislative instruments, and implication of child labour on the child’s educational development.

Child labour exposes the child to a lot of hazards like sexual defilement, sexual assault, neglects and threat of different forms of punishment. The consequences of these act may result in unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, psychological problems and a gradual withdrawal from a healthy relationship with the opposite gender (UNICEF, 2000). Ashimolowo et al. (2010) carried out a study on child trading activities which includes hawking and its effects on the educational attainment of its victims in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos.  The sample size was 250 (both parents and children). Based on the data collected, 28% of the respondents were involved in domestic servitude, while 72% were involved in street hawking activities.  The findings of the study revealed that child street trading (includes hawking) is a wide- spread menace affecting a lot of school children in the study area. The study further revealed that a majority of the respondents were of the opinion that trading activities have adverse effect on their participation in extracurricular activities at home. The study concluded that child street trading is a form of child labour and a significant problem in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State. This is due to a lot of factors such as poverty, illiteracy, distance of formal education centre and inadequate school facilities. They also found out that street hawking by children hinders educational development.

Ikechebelu et al. (2008) carried out a study on sexual abuse among juvenile female street hawkers in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. They found out that street hawking exposes young girls to all forms of hazards, including sexual abuse, unwanted pregnancy and sexual transmitted infection (HIV/AIDS). The study revealed that out of 186 respondents, 69.9% had been abused with 17.2% have had penetrative sexual intercourse, 28.1% were forced and 24.6% submitted willingly. Majority (59.4%) of the sexual partners were adults. He opined that despite the health problems associated with the practice of child labour in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State it has persisted as a mean of livelihood for the vulnerable poor. He suggested that government should come up with a   protective policy measures to regulate the practice of child labour in the state.

The issue of child labour in Nigeria has evolved over time as the policy curbing child labor exists but lack of enforcement of labor restrictions. This is manifested in variation in minimum age restriction in different types of employment. The International Labor Office reports that children work the longest hours and are the worst paid of all laborers. Many studies on this domain has proven that the various factors that could contribute to the high rate of child labour are: poverty, unemployment level among parents, limited access to free education, death of parents, to mention but a few. This study therefore, seeks to examine the prevailing factors contributing to child labour and the way forward in Nigeria.

1.3   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This study attempts to answer the following questions;

1. What are the causes of child labour amongst children in Nigeria?
2. What are the effects of street hawking on children in Nigeria?
3. What are the possible solutions to the problem of child labour on children in Nigeria?

 1.4   RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The general objective of this study is to critically investigate the prevailing factors contributing to child labour and the way forward. Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. To identify the causes of child labour among children in Nigeria.
2. To ascertain the effects of child labour among children in Nigeria.
3. To suggest possible solution to the problem of child labour among children in the study area.

1.5    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study focuses on examining the various factors that cause child labour in Nigeria. This study will also examine the effects of child labour on the child. The study will further examine the strategies of curbing child labour menace in Nigeria. This study is delimited to children resident in Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study is considered significance for the following reasons.

• It will shed more light to the mental ,physical and social wellbeing of children who are victims of child labour
• The study will be of help to government agencies, non-governmental organizations and academia
• It will also serve as a guide to future researchers who may want to engage in similar study.

1.7 TYPES AND SOURCES OF DATA

The study will use both primary and secondary data. The primary data will be collected through the administration of questionnaires and other relevant interviews. While the secondary data will be sourced from newspapers, publications etc. Questionnaires will be properly designed in line with the study objectives that served as the basis upon which data will be gathered from the study population..

1.8 DEFINITION OF KEYWORDS

CHILD: A young human being below the age of puberty or below the legal age of majority.

CHILDLABOUR: Is any form of physical, psychological, social, emotional, mental, academic or sexual maltreatment of a child, whereby the survival, safety, self esteem, growth and development of the child are endangered.

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