One in ten children in the world is forced to work. Nearly half of all child workers are under 12 years old. Most frequently, children have to work in fields and mines. Their parents are too poor to feed their families without help from their children. School attendance is the most effective measure against child labour. Therefore, Solidar Suisse facilitates basic education for child workers.

In total, 152 million children work around the world. They pick cotton, carry sacks full of palm oil fruit, spray pesticides, dig for gold, decorate shirts with sequins or work in hospitality. Children generally have to work because their parents’ incomes are too low to feed their family. Another frequent cause of child labour is the death of a parent.