Bolivia condemned for lowering working age for children to 10

Bolivia has become the first country in the world to lower its legal working age to just 10.

With efforts being made across the world to reduce child labour, the International Labour Organization said it is investigating whether the move contravenes global regulations.

And the Global March Against Child Labour was angered by the move.听Its chairperson Kailash Satyarthi said: 国产视频淭his step has shocked the global fraternity.国产视频�

Bolivian politicians justified the law change by saying it reflected the reality of life in one of the world's poorest countries. Children will be allowed to work at 10 as long as they attend school and are self-employed. Many Bolivian children work on food stalls or clean shoes.

UNICEF estimates that 500,000 children work to help their famiy incomes in Bolivia. It says that child labour prevents boys and girls from going to school and can be harmful to their mental and physical development.

The legislation was approved by Bolivia's congress earlier this month. And yesterday 国产视频� with President President Evo Morales travelling to Brazil 国产视频� it was signed into law by Vice-President听Alvaro Garcia Linera.

He said: 国产视频淚t would have been easier to pass a law in line with international conventions but it would not be enforced because Bolivia's reality has other needs and characteristics.国产视频�

Mr Satyarthi, whose organisation is a worldwide network of trade unions, teachers' and civil society organisations, said: 国产视频淭he Bolivian bill that allows children as young as 10 to work is a sheer insult to the universal norms and standards that have historically evolved from the vast experience of the global community.

国产视频淭hey have turned a deaf ear towards the independent voices of the global civil society. This regressive move is a blatant denial to the opportunity of education 国产视频� the only weapon that can pave way for prosperity, equity, justice and sustainability in the society.国产视频�

He added: 国产视频淭he Bolivian economy cannot take off until all its children are at school, attaining a quality education, and grow up to become qualified and skilled citizens. Child labour is counterproductive for the county国产视频檚 economy.国产视频�

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