Almost 100 million girls and boys in the world work in the agricultural sector. Many of them are forced to leave school early, and when they grow up, they do not have the opportunities to get a decent job. In addition, many may be disabled or chronically ill.

Along with mining and construction, agriculture is one of the three most dangerous job sectors in terms of work-related deaths, injuries and illnesses. Girls and boys who work in agriculture are particularly vulnerable, because they do not have enough experience, experience, professional training and physical development.
In this sector, girls and boys carry out heavy work, are exposed to climatic changes, manipulate sharp tools and machinery without preparation or protection, and are exposed to poisoning in the preparation and application of pesticides. In addition, long hours in the field prevent them from going to school or seriously affect their educational performance.
For this reason, many forms of work performed by children and adolescents in agriculture are dangerous, and should be classified as “worst forms of child labor”.

Fact

Since 2007, various activities related to the elimination of child labor have been carried out by FAO and ILO in close collaboration, with the aim of increasing knowledge about child labor in the agricultural subsectors, existing policies and successful interventions, through training and education materials for decision-makers, farmers, girls, boys and young people