Child Labour and Health: Evidence from Tanzania

Although the world is determined to end child labour by 2025, child labour remains a problem, especially in developing countries and is believed to have deleterious effects on children’s health and development. This paper examines whether and how hazardous child labour affects children’s health in Tanzania. It uses the most recent nationally representative data from Tanzania with 23,409 children aged 5 to 17. In the analysis, we use OLS methods. The findings reveal that children in hazardous working conditions are more likely to report poor health, illness or injuries because of work. Similarly, such children are more likely to report that they had ever been hurt at the workplace or suffered from illnesses/injuries due to work. They are also more likely to report that they were abused physically and emotionally. Regarding the potential mechanisms of the above results, the study finds that children engaging in hazardous working conditions are more likely to be exposed to dangerous things. Specifically, such children are more likely to operate equipment or machines at the workplace, more likely to be exposed to (sea, lake, and river) water and more likely to report that they are often exposed to dusts, fumes, or gases. In addition, they are more likely to report being often exposed to noise, extreme temperature or humidity, and dangerous tools or animals. Similarly, they are more likely to work underground, at heights, and in insufficient lighting. One of the reasons that compels children to engage in hazardous labour is the need to provide income to households. Therefore, a policy or social program to financially support households whose children are in hazardous labour may help to rescue those children. Second, the results revealed that children in hazardous labour are more likely to be physically and emotionally abused because of work. Legal action and severe punishment to those found to abuse children would help to protect the children. Children should be taught about their rights so that whenever they get abused, they can easily report to relevant authorities. Similarly, children should be protected from engaging in hazardous works that expose them to dangerous things, which negatively affect their physical and mental development.