Child Labor and its Mental and Physical Effects

Written by: Muhammad Arif Rahimi

According to national and international laws, labor that harms children's intellectual development and physical health is prohibited. Low economic conditions and unprotection caused children to work outside the home and support their families. Child labor badly affects child mental and physical health.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some children and a physician about this issue.

Shadab, a resident of Farza district, Kabul province says: “my father is a farmer and I also help him. during the night, I suffer from body stiffness and anosmia.”

Ziaratgul, a resident of Nangarhar province says: “I was employed as worker with a man. He asked to climb a tree and cut the leaves for his livestock but fell down and broke my hand. Later I started my work at a brick kiln and a day before, a brick dropped and broke my head. Last night I was suffering from body ache and crack hands' bleeding.”

Doctor Neek Muhammad, a physician at a private hospital, Kabul city says: “child labor causes three kinds problems: physical, mental and social problems. The child might face short height and loss of weight; heart, kidneys, lungs and skin diseases. He/she might suffer from anxiety, melancholia, cowardness, and insomnia.  He/she might always be harsh and has bad behavior with others. He/she always breaks the role and commits a crime.”

How do people could solve these problems?

Mirzuddin, a resident of Paktia province says: “my father died and there was no one else to fulfill our house necessities. I was collecting and selling used plastic and it was hard for me. Now I work in a public bath and polish shoes too. I continued school and could get more money than before.”

Ferishta says: “I do work but an easy one. When I want to carry water in a big container, I divide it into two water container and yet I did not face any problem.”

Maulagul, a resident of Kunduz province says: “I had suffered many problems during my immigration but I let my sons complete their education. They succeeded in high grades among many students. Now they have good jobs and give their salary to me.”