Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Geneva (Agenzia Fides) - Currently 168 million children work in the world. Among these 115 million between 5 and 17 years of age are engaged in jobs considered at high risk where they work as miners, farmers, construction workers, domestic workers and in bars. According to a note of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which was sent to Agenzia Fides, 22 thousand boys and girls die each year in the world because of accidents at work, while the number of those who are injured or ill because of the work they do is not known. The lack of safety measures and health often leads to a greater number of accidents, sometimes fatal, to permanent disability, ill health, psychological, behavioral and emotional damage. The international organization, based in Geneva, indicates that the phenomenon is widespread both in industrialized and in developing Countries and often the young children start doing dangerous work at a very early age. The agricultural sector continues to be the sector where many children are exploited: 98 million worldwide, 59%. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 08/01/2015)
