AMERICA/DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - The number of working children, deprived of education and health care, continues to increase

Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) - About 12% of the population between 5 and 17 years of age is engaged in different types of work, the most common are window cleaners and shoeshiners. According to a recent study carried out by the International Labour Organization (ILO) this is due to poverty and lack of education. Over 304 000 working children do not attend school, have no health care and do not have time to play. Through awareness campaigns, the Ministry of Labour aims to eradicate most serious forms of child exploitation. In the Country Article 245 of the Labor Code prohibits the employment of children under 14 and their exploitation as street vendors without prior approval of the Department of Labor. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 13/05/2014)