Child labor and its causes in Diyala governorateAnalytical study

Abstract

Childhood is considered the most important stage of an individual’s life, growth and formation of his personality, therefore investing in it is the treasure of the future. After the report of the Iraqi Ministry of Planning in (2018) in the multiple indicator cluster survey, which shows that child labor is constantly increasing and that it has become a phenomenon that requires researching its causes and finding solutions for it, the two researchers decided to conduct this research to answer the following questions: Is child labor a phenomenon that exists in Diyala Governorate? What are the main reasons for their labor? What are the businesses they do? How long they are? What are their natures? and In order to verify the objectives of the research, the researchers collected the causes of labor through a survey sample, and after applying the items of the child labor scale in its initial form and extracting its validity and reliability, it was applied to a statistical analysis sample of (53) children. The results showed that child labor is a phenomenon that exists and that it is constantly increasing, and the high cost of essential needs like food, clothing, electricity, generator subscription...etc., is considered the most important cause of child labor for the sample of the current research. The research explained detailed information about the types of work practiced by the children of the research sample, the duration of the work they do during the day, and the nature of their work. The research came out with several recommendations, including establishing a detailed database for child labor in each governorate by the ministries, agencies and directorates concerned with children, provided that it includes (their names, ages, genders, the reasons of their work, the type of work they do and its nature, duration, degree of danger, location...etc), as well as identifying the problems they suffer from, finding solutions to them as quickly as possible, implementing laws related to child labor and children’s rights, monitoring their implementation, providing them with the necessary daily needs of food, clothing, and other things, and impose penalties on shop owners and employers who exploit child workers. Furthermore, Based on the results of the research, the researchers proposed conducting a survey of child labor in every governorate carried out by the Ministry of Planning in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Education, which should include counting the numbers of working children, identifying the real reasons that pushed children into labor market at an early age, identifying their genders, the nature of their work, the number of working hours per day, and identifying the standards of living (Social and economic standards) for working children and identifying the psychological, social, economical and health effects of work on working children,moreover, conducting an experimental study (by the same ministries above) that includes preparing an awareness and treatment program for working children to modify, evaluate and solve their problems.