More than half of Cambodian children aged under 14 are being put to work, forcing them out of school and perpetuating the cycle of poverty in the nation, the UN Children's Fund said.
"Child labour is still widespread in Cambodia, constituting a key obstacle to universal primary education, human resources development and the elimination of poverty," UNICEF said at the launch of a report co-authored with the International Labour Organisation and the World Bank.
While the proportion of children working has decreased, it is still very high in comparison with other countries with similar economies, the report said.
Most of the work is unpaid and in the highly dangerous agricultural sector where children are 12 per cent more likely to be injured than if they worked in manufacturing, the report said.
The minimum working age in Cambodia is 15 but most children go to work far earlier to help their struggling families.
While the government has significantly increased educational opportunities for children, it has admitted that it cannot enforce its child labour laws.
A key element is making sure children enter school at the right age, UNICEF said.
"Right-age entry will both prevent children from joining the labour force too early and increase the likelihood that they will complete their primary education," said UNICEF representative Rodney Hatfield.
-AFP
"Child labour is still widespread in Cambodia, constituting a key obstacle to universal primary education, human resources development and the elimination of poverty," UNICEF said at the launch of a report co-authored with the International Labour Organisation and the World Bank.
While the proportion of children working has decreased, it is still very high in comparison with other countries with similar economies, the report said.
Most of the work is unpaid and in the highly dangerous agricultural sector where children are 12 per cent more likely to be injured than if they worked in manufacturing, the report said.
The minimum working age in Cambodia is 15 but most children go to work far earlier to help their struggling families.
While the government has significantly increased educational opportunities for children, it has admitted that it cannot enforce its child labour laws.
A key element is making sure children enter school at the right age, UNICEF said.
"Right-age entry will both prevent children from joining the labour force too early and increase the likelihood that they will complete their primary education," said UNICEF representative Rodney Hatfield.
-AFP
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