The nature, underlying factors impact of child labour: a case study of Kinondoni district, Dar es Salaam region.

The study deals with the problem of child labour on the street of Dar es Salaam. It focuses on three aspects namely nature, causal factors and the impact of child labour. From the literature review and basing on the study theory of political economy three hypotheses are formulated. These are nature of work, children engage in which is not commensurate with their age. Low level of income of households and how it influence children to work, and lastly it is also hypothesised that although child labour is a means of generating income for households and for children themselves it has had a disastrous social impact on children. The study utilizes a mult-stage sampling frame and data was collected using an interview schedule and observation. The testing of the hypotheses revealed certain salient findings. Regarding the type of work done, the study revealed that the majority (77%) of the children were involved in selling various items along the streets and that most of the work was being done for employers other than either relatives or self. 52% of these employers housed the children. Most of the children that is 86%, complained of various problems related to their work. They worked under poor conditions such as long hours, had poor sleeping facilities, ate unbalanced meals and were mistreated by employers. Despite this, 73% of the children are contented with their work. The indication here was that low income levels within families were a function of sending children on the labour market. In terms of factors that brought children to work, the study found out that the nature of parents occupations was important in influencing the children to work. It was concluded that the children whose parents were in sporadic and temporary employment or had no jobs at all were more likely to work. This indication here was that low income levels within families were a function of sending children on the labour market. The study also found out that those children who were already working played a crucial role in influencing other children to join the labour market. This was done through constant interaction. The children working on the streets had previous knowledge of other such children who they had been in contact with. The study concluded also that the children who had been working on the streets had acted as a reference group and influenced the children to work on the streets. Finally, regarding the health status of the children, the study established that meal constituents affected health status of the children. Thus the extent to which the children had balanced or unbalanced meals had impact on their health. In addition working conditions such as number of hours worked, the environment and weather in which they worked determined the child's health status. Regarding the education status of the children the study established that the number of children not attending school is increasing. This creates a problem for the next generation because the base of people who reach formal education will have widened. This is very detrimental to the future of this nation. Conclusion, recommendation and area for further research also have been highlighted by the study.