Social Workers and the Menace of Child Labor in Ondo State Nigeria: Problems and Prospects

Child labor participation is inimical, contrary to the Rights of the Child, and threatens holistic child development, the family and the nation at large. It’s in the light of this that this study want to assess the activities of Social workers in the process of eradicating child labor as well as the various problems hunting their activities in Nigeria. The target population comprised of 300 social workers chosen across the eighteen local government in Ondo State. The study employed descriptive survey method in collecting the data for the study. Data generated from the study was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Descriptive statistics such as simple percentage and tables were used to summarize the data. One-way Analysis of variance was used at 0.05% level of significance to test the hypotheses. Findings from the study demonstrated that child labor is a real problem in our society. However, it is evidenced that forms of child labor differs among individuals. The study further revealed poverty, cultural belief and lack of awareness as the major causes of child labor. The study recommends the need for the government to as a matter of urgency, pass the bill legalizing the practice of social work in Nigeria. The study also recommend awareness in the community with regards to the right of child, especially the right to basic education and protection from economic exploitation. The relevant agencies approved by the government to curb the menace of child labor also needs to be more alive to their responsibilities