Approximately 2.6 million children and adolescents aged between 5 and 17 are currently working in Brazil, for the most part under informal conditions, and in sectors that put their health and safety at risk. To combat this persistence practice, on 10 February, the Ministério Público do Trabalho (Labour Public Ministry) in charge of keeping and supervising labor laws, launched a campaign across the social networks aimed at raising internet user awareness under hashtag #Chegadetrabalhoinfantil (Stopchildlabor) and via an information and guidance website where users can post witness statements and /or criticize practices.
Between 2007 and 2015 out of a total 20,000 serious work related accidents, Brazil’s Health Ministry has documented 187 juvenile deaths, and 518 juveniles who have lost a hand. The ILO has calculated that in Brazil 14.4% of workers in high risk activities are aged between 15 and 17 years.
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