Child Labour in Lebanon Rises in Agricultural Work
Child Labour is a serious issue that Lebanon continues to face, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak and the current economic conditions. Many children are working in vulnerable areas, mainly in agriculture, although it’s considered risky to their safety and health.
According to Plan International, the protection of children’s safety became more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic. Poverty and lack of education have led many households to send their children for work, where most of it is considered the worst forms and hazardous work.
Below is a cartogram link that shows the percentage of Lebanese children aged 5–17 years old involved in child labour and distributed through governorates of Lebanon, based on a UNICEF survey.
Legally, Decree №8987 in Lebanon indicates that hazardous work is unacceptable for children below 16 years old because of its physical efforts. However, in a report to UNHCR, many children, particularly Syrian refugees, one-third of them are working in agriculture and haven’t attended school.
Besides, the World Health Organization notes that such hazardous work affects the children’s health and safety across different areas in Lebanon and mostly in the North. Agricultural work allows children to use harmful tools and poisonous substances. Also, they can be exposed to severe weather conditions or carrying heavy tons.
According to International Labour Organization Recommendation №190, work that is considered hazardous is when exposing children to physical abuse or allowing children to work with dangerous tools and equipment, also letting children work in an unhealthy environment or difficult conditions that might affect their health.
A study conducted by the ILO and St. Joseph University in 2012, shows that 52.0% of children in North Lebanon, specifically in Beqaa Valley work in agriculture and carry heavyweights. Also, UNICEF notes that around 60% of children that work in agriculture are in rural and vulnerable areas in Lebanon, where the Syrian refugees are mostly distributed.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Labour and the American University of Beirut have conducted a study revealing that children working in the agriculture sector are circulated in Akkar, Baalbek, and Hermel, and results in dropping out from their schools. It shows that some of them work along with their family to save hired hands which is better for their income. However, children’s health is more exposed to risk because they use plant pesticides that contain toxic chemicals and no protective measures are taken.
Last but not least, governmental entities must take serious procedures to monitor child labor in Lebanon and eliminate children working in agriculture by the implementation of the law.
