Submitted by crinadmin on
Child labour constitutes one of the most serious difficulties faced by developing countries in the Andean region. Immediate attention from the state as well as society as a whole is required. Despite extensive research and intervention programs, during the last few decades, solutions have been few and far between. In this sense, it is necessary to integrate all efforts and initiatives so as to find integral solutions to the problem. The mining sector in Bolivia is not the exception. In particular, informal mining activities are among the most hazardous types of work and, unfortunately, they often involve children. Moreover, mining related tasks, which are carried out under precarious conditions and with high risks to health and life, comprise serious obstacle to the development of mining communities. Thus, the term “child labour” subsumes all types of work that expose children to dangerous environments and activities that affect their health, security, and morality (International Labour Organization 2003). The following study focuses on two mining regions in Bolivia (Chima-Chuquini and Huanuni) where children are frequently involved in mining activities. These children actively participated in the study, providing an inside (emic) view of their work and how they see it shaping their role in society. The children’s perceptions, therefore, constitute the main source of data and analysis. Further information: This report was part of the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) child protection research fund.