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Summary: This research was commissioned by Save
the Children in response to the
recognised paucity of research on
children and employment in Northern
Ireland. This research was commissioned by Save the Children in response to
the recognised paucity of research on children and employment in
Northern Ireland. Save the Children has a long history of
highlighting issues surrounding child work in developing societies.
The notion that children also work in developed societies is a
relatively recent one. A range of studies into child employment
throughout Britain indicates that the issue can no longer be ignored
or dismissed as a 'third world' problem. Collectively, these studies
demonstrate that significant numbers of children throughout Britain
work, they have always worked and they are involved in occupations
that often mirror the adult labour market. However, no such detailed
empirical work exists in relation to Northern Ireland. A report
commissioned by Save the Children in 1996 into existing studies of
children and work in Northern Ireland concluded 'by the end of a
thorough search of the likely sources we were still in a state of
ignorance' (Pinkerton 1997:85) and suggested that 'it is crucial
therefore that a serious start is made on research into this area'
(1997:96). This research is an attempt to respond to the need.
The purpose of the research is to provide both qualitative and
quantitative data on the experiences of children in employment. This
is the first comprehensive study carried out in Northern Ireland and
its main aim is to furnish information on the essence of child
employment. Because of the urgency in compiling some sort of profile
on children and employment to counteract the dearth of information
that exists, it was decided to carry out the research over a short
time period (April to June 1998) and concentrate on the Belfast area.
Hence, some issues relating to child employment are not presented
here:
in particular potential differences between urban and rural areas and
the role of employers in utilising child workers. However, it is
hoped that the report will open up a broader debate on children and
employment in the context of Northern Ireland and stimulate other
groups concerned with children's issues to become involved in funding
the necessary range of research needed on this issue so that we can
become adequately informed about the role that employment plays in
children's lives.
The research brief agreed with Save the Children had three main aims:
To provide quantitative and qualitative data on the involvement of
school pupils in term-time emPloyment in Belfast.
To make children's voices heard in relation to their own on term-time
employment.
To provide recommendations for the improvement of children's working
lives.
The structure of the Report is as follows. Chapter One provides an
overview of the research literature on children and employment in
order to establish the context in w hich the project is situated.
This is followed by a brief discussion of the methodology utilised in
the research design. The results of the survey are reported in
Chapter Two which outlines the number of school pupils with lobs and
examines the detail of their employment patterns. The impact that
term-time employment has on health and education is also assessed in
this chapter. Individual case histories of working pupils form the
subject of Chapter Three. This chapter draws mainly on focus group
interviews and classroom discussions with a cross section of pupils.
Throughout th.is chapter, the names of the pupils have been changed
to protect their identity. Chapter Four presents the legislative
framework within which child employment takes place. This chapter
includes an interview with a representative from the Belfast
Education and Library Board and also presents school pupils' views on
the current legislation. A number of suggestions were put to pupils
on how to improve their working lives and their attitudes to these
recommendations are discussed in Chapter Five. The Report concludes
with a summary of the findings and a set of recommendations. These
recommendations emerge from a consideration of the research findings
and from insights gained from talking to school pupils and other
people who took part in the research.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Child Employment: Definitions and Issues
Child Employment in Belfast: the Survey Results
Working Children: Case Histories
Child Employment Legislation
Adult versus Children's Perspectives
Improving Children's Lives: Pupils' Perspectives Summary and
Recommendations
References Appendices
Written and researched by Madeleine Leonard.
Published by Save the Children, Popper House, 15 Richmond Park,
Belfast BT IC OHB. Tel 01232 431123
Fax 01232 43 13 14 email [email protected] ISBN Number I 84187
000 5 Copyright 1999.