Examining child labour activities in South Africa

Abstract

Background: South Africa is a developing country characterised by high unemployment, poverty and inequality. Thus, it is possible child members of households are exploited to help the households survive financially. Objective: This study investigated child labour activities in South Africa, and examined the impact of various personal- and household-level factors (including labour market status of adult members) on child labour incidence. Methods: Data from the Survey of Activities of Young People (SAYP) released by Statistics South Africa was analysed to derive descriptive statistics relating to child labour activities. Probit regressions were also conducted to investigate the impact of various factors on child labour probability. Results: Children involved in child labour were predominantly African rural residents who did not attend schools at the time of the survey, and came from households with only one employed adult member on average. These children spent four to five hours per week on economic activities in unskilled elementary occupations, and the key reasons for involving in these activities were to earn pocket money for themselves and assist their families. Regarding the results of probit regressions, children coming from households with a greater number of employed adult members were less likely to be in child labour, but the result was only statistically significant in 2015. Conclusions: Child labour does exist in South Africa, particularly amongst households with a low number of employed adult members. Numerous socio-economic problems (such as poverty and adult unemployment) would need to be addressed to fully eradicate child labour incidence.