BLOG #1 Youth Protection is Good For Business Vicki Walker October 2023

Extending outreach to remote farmers through Youth Extension Services and Training

If official, formal, extension agents cannot or do not reach the informal sectors or hamlets, and vehicles are scarce, how can local youth learn about agriculture and transfer to farmers information regarding their needs, to ensure quality produce and zero hazardous child labor on farms. Simple: Extend outreach to remote farmers to include Youth Extension Services and Training (YES-T). We must also consider the environment in terms of protection and usage of biomass and vegetation waste for energy, co-generation, and restorative growth. Youth Extension services can be adults or youth themselves, who can support labor and education protocols, monitor farms and train adolescents and farmers in safe methods with protections from hazardous materials.

Blog #2 How to Solve the Youth Paradox and Company Dilemma Vicki Walker October 2023

Take the Youth paradox: some work is viable and legal for youth over 14 or 15 (depending on the country laws) is characterized as hazardous for any youth under 18 - however, some work can be hazard-free and youth can work - by not opening that path, youth will find hazardous work either in the same supply chain or another so a zero sum gain. Simple: Why not have a special force within the combined Departments (or Ministries) of Labor, Agriculture, and Education to provide extension services and education to local farmers and youth.

Learn the Rules: Work for Youth of Legal Working Age Depending on the country, the minimum age for working is 14 – 17 years old (country-specific information can be found in International Labor Organization sites (ILO) and the US Department of Labor Sweat & Toil App 2023 available for your phone or computer). This age group can work legally, however, only in non-hazardous conditions that are stipulated by international law and country-specific laws. These conditions also may state that it is legal and safe to work if the hazard is removed or does not exist, if they are supervised, use safety gear and have proper protections, work a limited amount of hours in daylight, with breaks, food and water, and do not use dangerous tools. For example, bee keeping is legal if the youth is wearing all of the protective gear and is properly trained and supervised. In most countries, employers can hire youth 14-17 years-old if they can provide all of the appropriate legal conditions and protections. 

Worst Forms of Child Labor* refer to ILO Convention 182:

All forms of slavery and trafficking of children as well as use of children in armed conflict; Prostitution and pornography; Illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. Hazardous Work is  defined as dangerous or unhealthy conditions that could result in a child being killed, or injured and/or made ill as a consequence of poor safety and health standards and working arrangements.  This may include work in agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, service industries,  and domestic service.

To understand the issues and ensure stakeholders observe and meet standards of international and national laws on child labor, PRIME provides a set of facts,  root causes, questions, and recommendations for addressing and going beyond current efforts to meeting the 2025-2030 Sustainable Development Goal 8.7.  And do not forget the Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEETS) (per SDG 8.6) youth 15-25 who make up a significant percent of hazardous working conditions, uneducated and untrained segments of societies.

* ILO Convention 138 on minimum age and legal working age 14/15-17.