In Yemen a parents worst nightmare may come when they realize that they have no choice at all but to put their child onto the street to work, to support the family. Peddling various wares on the street, child labors, some as young as four, in Yemen can hardly be missed, nor can one continue to ignore their plight. Children work in both rural and urban areas, the majority of which work in agriculture without compensation. And while it is against the law to employee children into acts of labor, the Child Rights Law, has yet to be implemented, aiding in the extreme situation.
Earlier this year Zaid Abdullah, an 11 year old child labor from Yemen, told IRIN, "I live from hand to mouth"…”I have to work to help my elder brothers – who have unfixed jobs as labourers, street vendors or farm helpers – and contribute to providing the family with food”.
Child labor still plagues Yemen, says Children's Parliament, who have taken great strides to bring the growing problem under the spotlight. Official's estimate that there are over 400,000, child labors in Yemen. Poverty was noted as the main contributing factor for the increase in child labor, of which is contributed to by rapid population growth, lack of education, war, and natural disasters. The Children's Parliament, along with other NGOs, has felt that their hands are some what tied on the issue.
The children labor phenomenon in Yemen is increasing and our abilities are very limited, so our efforts will not appear in fighting such problem. We cannot solve such a problem in one day, but we try to do what we can do in our limited abilities," said Mohammed al-Ansi, a representative of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.
The suggestions and outcomes of the latest session of the Children's Parliament, concluded that the issue needs more attention and that the support and education of families, was crucial to solving Yemen's child labor problem.
‘Child labour has also increased the school dropout rate. “There are about two million children out of school,” al-Shami said, adding that most of them will end up illiterate.’
In Yemen a child is only a minor, according to the law, until they are 15 years old, however the law has been sought to be amended to 18, as per international standards, but has yet to be approved.
High unemployment and instability seems to be the key indicating factor of the extreme numbers of child laborers in Yemen, however it is a vicious cycle that will only continue to be felt if the needs of children are not address quickly, and with sustainable solutions. A child forced to work at an early age, once denied an education, then is left with little option for prosperity and stability in the job market as an adult, thus causing the cycle of poverty to continue. Children working on the streets of Yemen, are also at greater risk for abuse, both physically and sexually, and leaves them susceptible to trafficking. The Yemeni government estimates that there are 15,000 street children in the capital city of Sanna, have no families to turn to when their work is done, or their wares are gone. However the problem looks to increase as, "People don't want to talk about this problem – sometimes not even the government" (Street children at increased risk of sexual abuse).
“Violence begets violence. As child workers are subjected to violence – whether at home or work, they will become aggressive towards society,” al-Shami said (Fears over possibly rising number of child laborers).
With over half of the countries population being children, and almost half of the population living on or below the poverty line, the fight to abolish child labor practices in Yemen, is a long and hard road.
