Child labor has been a persistent issue throughout human history and across all societies. Any kind of work that deprives children of education, prevents them from experiencing childhood, and causes physical or psychological harm can be defined as ‘child labor.’ This term encompasses all activities that harm a child’s mental, physical, social, or moral development. One of its greatest impacts is hindering a child’s education. This either leads to the child dropping out of school early or being forced to balance school with long and difficult working hours.
According to a report published by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), around 160 million children aged 5 to 14 are forced to work worldwide today. This means that one in every ten children is part of the workforce. Half of these children are engaged in dangerous jobs that threaten their health, safety, and moral development, such as working in brick or aluminum factories. The regions with the highest rates of child labor are Africa (72 million) and Asia-Pacific (62 million), while approximately 6 million child laborers are in Europe and Central Asia.[i]
Child labor is quite common in Central Asian countries, where people mainly rely on livestock and agriculture for their livelihood. One in three children aged 5 to 17 in the region is involved in various types of work. Children are often employed in livestock farming or fieldwork, either for low wages or without pay, to help support their families’ economic needs. These children are frequently deprived of education and do not receive adequate schooling.
The main reason for the spread of child labor in Central Asia is economic hardship. Families with low income rely on their children’s labor to make a living. In rural areas, child labor is often seen as a natural part of life, which complicates the situation even further. Children forced to work in harsh conditions at a young age suffer both physically and psychologically. For this reason, Central Asian countries are developing legal regulations to address child labor.
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are among the world leaders in cotton production, and cotton exports are an important economic resource for these countries. In 2018, the United States (US) banned cotton imports from Turkmenistan, citing the use of child labor in its production. In response, the Turkmenistan government stated that it would take measures to prevent child labor. As a result, preventing children from working in the fields became one of the norms outlined in the “roadmap” developed with the International Labour Organization for 2024-2025. To this end, a Turkmenistan delegation visited Uzbekistan in March 2024 to examine the country’s experience in eliminating child labor in its cotton industry.
In 2010, the US also banned the purchase of cotton produced in Uzbekistan. However, the Uzbek government took steps to eliminate child labor in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO). In March 2022, the ILO announced that cotton harvesting in Uzbekistan was no longer carried out using child labor. This ban was also included in Uzbekistan’s new constitution, adopted in 2023.[ii]
In Kazakhstan, children under the age of 14 are allowed to work in organizations such as cinema, theater, and circuses, as long as it does not harm their health. Children aged 14 and older can work after school in jobs that do not harm their health or education, but their working hours are limited to 24 hours per week, and night shifts are prohibited.[iii]
Although legal regulations have been established to combat child labor in Central Asian countries, these measures are often ineffective due to a lack of sufficient oversight and enforcement. For instance, the employment of children under the age of 14 is prohibited in all Central Asian countries. Children aged 14 and older are allowed to work in specific hours and in jobs that do not harm their education or health. However, these laws typically apply to formal employment and are not enforced in informal sectors such as agriculture, livestock, and small family businesses. As a result, children living in rural areas continue to work, especially in agriculture and livestock.[iv]
In regions where child labor is prevalent, the enforcement and oversight of laws are quite weak. In rural areas and places experiencing economic hardship, families often have to employ their children. Half of these children are exposed to long working hours in heavy and dangerous jobs under extreme heat or cold, negatively affecting their development. It is crucial not only to implement laws but also to ensure their enforcement by strengthening oversight mechanisms. In the fight against child labor, alongside legal regulations, it is essential to raise awareness in society and educate families about children’s rights and education. The perception of child labor as a “normal” situation, especially in rural communities, contributes to its prevalence. Therefore, contributions to solving this issue are needed not only from the government but also from civil society organizations and individuals.
The solution to the issue of child labor in Central Asia can be achieved by strengthening the economy and education system, as well as implementing measures to prevent the forced labor of children. Additionally, providing economic support to families could be effective in reducing child labor. Strict enforcement of laws and the elimination of child labor in all sectors are important steps that need to be taken to protect the future of children in the region.
[i] “Число детей, занятых детским трудом, выросло до 160 миллионов – впервые за два десятилетия отмечен рост масштабов детского труда”, ЮНИСЕФ, https://www.unicef.org/eca/ru/Пресс-релизы/число-детей-занятых-детским-трудом-выросло-до-160-миллионов-впервые-за-два-десятилетия, (Access date: 21.09.2024).
[ii] “В Туркмении запретили использовать труд несовершеннолетних при сборе хлопка”, ТАСС, https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/21553221, (Access date: 21.09.2024).
[iii] “Детский труд: со скольких лет можно работать в Казахстане и какие нормы”, Ulys Media, https://ulysmedia.kz/news/34491-detskii-trud-so-skolki-let-mozhno-rabotat-v-kazakhstane-i-kakie-normy/, (Access date: 21.09.2024).
[iv] “В Туркменистане школьников привлекают к сбору хлопка, вопреки официальному запрету”, Азатлык, https://rus.azathabar.com/a/v-turkmenistane-shkolnikov-privlekayut-k-sboru-hlopka-vopreki-ofitsialnomu-zapretu-/33109505.html, (Access date: 21.09.2024).
