Work vs Labor

A lot of kids may do work that could help their physical and mental skills, preparing them for adulthood. Child labor, however, refers to work or economic activity performed by a child that subjects him to any form of exploitation or is harmful to his health, safety, and overall development.

Child Work

• Work is appropriate to child’s age and mental capabilities
• Supervised by responsible adults
• Limited hours of work; does not hinder the child from going to school, playing, or resting
• Workplace does not pose hazards to health and life of the child
• Child’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being are nourished even in the work environment
• Child works voluntarily to participate in the family responsibility of maintaining the household
• Child is justly compensated materially and psychologically
• Child’s work is regulated by law or governed by family / community norms and values
• Child work serves as vehicle for social advancement and improvement in child’s quality of life

Child Labor

• Work burdens the child; too heavy for child’s age and capabilities
• Child works unsupervised, supervised by abusive adults
• Very long hours of work; child has limited or no time for school, play, or rest
• Workplace poses hazards to child’s health and life
• Child is subjected to psychological, verbal, or physical / sexual abuse
• Child is forced by circumstances or by coercive individuals to work
• Limited or no positive rewards for the child
• Child’s work is excluded from legislation, social security, and benefits
• Child’s work is utilized for exploitative, subversive, or clandestine operations, or disguised illegal activities

Definitions provided for by the BWYW of the DOLE