Article 32: Economic exploitation and harmful work

Convention text

1.

The countries that have signed the Convention must respect the child’s right to be protected from economic exploitation. Children must also be protected from work that is likely to be dangerous, that interferes with their education, or that is harmful to their health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.

2.

These countries must take all necessary measures to realise this right. Taking into account other international agreements, they must in particular provide for:

• a minimum age or minimum ages for paid work;
• rules on working hours and working conditions;
• suitable penalties or other measures to make sure that everyone complies with this Article.

Key point

Children must be protected from child labour.

Explanation

The government must make sure that there is no child labour. Children have the right to protection from economic exploitation. This means making children do things that are not good for them in order to make money from them. Children must also not do dangerous work, heavy work, or work that is harmful to their health or development. That is why the government must make rules about minimum ages and working hours. Children may work, but the work must be suitable for their age and must not be full-time. A part-time job or work placement may therefore be allowed from a certain age. However, school and homework come first. By doing work that is suitable for them, children not only earn money, but also learn many things. For example, they learn how to manage money, how to be responsible, and skills from the work itself.

In the Netherlands, children under the age of 13 are not allowed to work. After that age, rules apply. On the Dutch government website, you can read when children may work, for how long, at what times, and what kind of work they may do.