Child labor in Colombia rises by 35%

Child labor in Colombia rises by 35%
Monday, 02 May 2011 06:38
Tom Heyden

Colombia experienced a sharp rise in the volume of child workers between 2007 and 2009, with a growth of around 35%, according to a report by the non-profit communications agency PANDI.

The report cites figures issued by DANE, the national statistics agency, indicating that in 2009 Colombia had at least 1,050,147 children in employment, compared to some 787,000 in 2007.

To this figure is also added the nearly 800,000 children, especially girls, who have to work more than 15 hours a week on household chores, contributing to an overal total of 1,849,987 minors.

The PANDI report noted the apparent discrepancy in a country where the 4.3% rise in domestic GDP has been heralded with pride alongside a simultaneously burgeoning underage workforce, questioning the usefulness of such economic growth in the eradication of poverty.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/15967-child-labor-in-colombia-rises-by-35.html