Underage workers

Abstract

Child labour is an international problem. In 1979 the studies carried out as part of the awareness campaign during the International Year of the Child showed us that more than 50 million children below the age of fifteen worked. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has introduced several child labour conventions. Through the years people like Charles Dickens, Karl Marx Jean Jacques Rousseau and others have also given us things to think about. In Malta Mr. R. Sultana a lecturer at University has carried out research regarding child labour. The Maltese Law agrees with the ILO and condemns child labour. The Education Act does not allow young persons to work unless they have finished secondary school. Also, there is the Employment and Training Act which does not allow employers to employ young persons without a Work Book. For a time, local newspapers have published articles and reports on child labour, and making the Maltese public more aware of this abuse. These reports have now ceased. A dissertation written by Ms. Denise Fenech showed us why young people stayed away from school. The reason was work. As early as Second formers were found to be amongst the labour force. Another report reviewed by the author discussed the advantages and disadvantages of part-time work in adolescence. Adolescents pass through developmental changes, both physically and mentally. During these years young persons should take physical care of their bodies, especially the back, whilst the adult world should be careful not to expose adolescents to premature work. The questionnaire carried out during this present study showed us that child labour does exist not only in trade schools but also in Government and Church Schools. The present author found twenty-seven workers out of one hundred and twenty participants. In the conclusion the present author suggested that, either agencies like the Police Department, the Employment and Training Corporation and others open a section that truly takes care of child abuse cases or working under the age of sixteen be legalised through the Local Councils.