|
Child Labour Survey (5-17 Years)
Press Release on the Results of Survey (October - December, 1998)
In accordance with the master plan for
Palestine official statistics and the efforts aimed at the compilation of a
reliable and comprehensive database on the different aspects of the Palestinian
society, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) carried out a
survey on child labour and activities for children aged 5–17 years in the
period between October 10th 1998 and January 7th 1999.
This survey is being implemented for the first time in Palestine.
The sample size was 7,631 households, of which 4,546
households have children aged 5–17 years. This survey was conducted as a module
of the 11th round of the Labour Force Survey conducted in a regular
basis by PCBS. The survey questionnaire contained two parts. The first part
involves proxy questions, whereas the second part was completed by direct
interviewing the targeted children.
The number of children (in the age group 5–17 years) in
the Palestinian territory is estimated at 1,025,900 children for the 4th
quarter of 1998. The findings indicated that the number of children engaged in
paid or unpaid work amounted to 63,600 children during the 12 months preceding
survey date (48,000 in the West Bank and 15,600 in Gaza Strip).
The survey results suggest that 51.3% of the working
children are classified as unpaid family members, 45.3% are wage employees and
3.4% are self employed.
The survey results show as well, that 31.1% of working
children seek work to increase the household income, 36.3% to assist in family
business, 12.3% because they dropped out of school and have nothing to do.
Also, 10.8% are seeking work to fill the free time in official holidays, and
8.7% are working to have self-reliance and independence. Hence, 67.7% work for
financial motives. The survey findings show that 74.0% of working children
belong to a households of size exceeds the average Palestinian household size
(6.4 persons per Household).
The findings of the survey pointed that 7.6% of the
children aged 6–17 years had left school, 41.8% of them worked during the last
12 months compared to 58.2% who didn’t work at all. Reasons behind quitting
school include unwillingness to study (30.8%), inability to pass or failure
(27.8%), and work due to severe economic conditions (2.4%).
The findings indicate that 6.5% of the employed children
were prone to work injuries in the course of their work. The injuries varied
from fractures, bruises, wounds and contusions.
The percentage of children underwent vocational training
during work amounted to 19.8%, among paid workers.
A household poll was conducted in order to
explore the essentiality of the children work to their households. A percentage
of 65.5% responded that the work of their children is essential. Moreover, it
was found that 41.0% of the households with employed children believe, there
will be no effect if their children quit work, while, 37.8% of them responded
that their standards of living will deteriorate if their children stopped
working.
Main Findings
Children aged (5-17) years in the Palestinian Territory:
- The percentage of population aged (5-17) years is 34.6 %
in the Palestinian Territory (according to the estimation of the end of 1998),
33.5% of which in West Bank, and 36.8% in Gaza Strip.
- The percentage of Children who worked through last 12
months (Reference Period: October, 1997 to December, 1998) is 6.2% in The
Palestinian Territory, 7.4% in the West Bank and 4.3% in Gaza Strip.
Attending school and Employment
.
Percentage Distribution of Children aged (6-17 years) by
School attendance, Employment Status, Sex, and Region.
|
Region & Sex
|
Attending School %
|
Not Attending School %
|
|
Employed
|
Not Employed
|
Total
|
Total (n)
|
Employed
|
Not Employed
|
Total
|
Total (n)
|
|
West Bank
|
|
Male
|
7.7
|
92.3
|
100.0
|
4,267
|
71.0
|
29.0
|
100.0
|
448
|
|
Female
|
1.5
|
98.5
|
100.0
|
4,057
|
9.4
|
90.6
|
100.0
|
308
|
|
Total
|
4.7
|
95.3
|
100.0
|
8,324
|
45.9
|
54.1
|
100.0
|
756
|
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
Male
|
4.7
|
95.3
|
100.0
|
2,461
|
45.0
|
55.0
|
100.0
|
209
|
|
Female
|
1.1
|
98.9
|
100.0
|
2,313
|
3.3
|
46.7
|
100.0
|
123
|
|
Total
|
3.0
|
97.0
|
100.0
|
4,774
|
29.5
|
70.5
|
100.0
|
332
|
|
Palestinian Territory
|
|
Male
|
6.6
|
93.4
|
100.0
|
6,728
|
62.7
|
37.3
|
100.0
|
657
|
|
Female
|
1.3
|
98.7
|
100.0
|
6,370
|
7.7
|
92.3
|
100.0
|
431
|
|
Total
|
4.1
|
95.9
|
100.0
|
13,098
|
40.9
|
59.1
|
100.0
|
1,088
|
Children not Attending School.
Percentage Distribution of Children aged
(6-17 years) not Attending School by Reason for Leaving School, Region and Sex.
|
Reason
|
West Bank (%)
|
Gaza Strip (%)
|
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
|
Maltreatment by teachers
|
1.1
|
0.7
|
0.9
|
2.9
|
1.6
|
2.4
|
|
Not interested in schooling
|
40.4
|
20.4
|
32.3
|
31.1
|
21.1
|
27.4
|
|
Work for wages/ salaries
|
4.5
|
0.3
|
2.8
|
2.4
|
-
|
1.5
|
|
Marriage
|
0.2
|
21.7
|
8.9
|
0.5
|
20.3
|
7.8
|
|
Due to family desire
|
5.6
|
21.1
|
11.9
|
2.9
|
19.5
|
9.0
|
|
Failed at school
|
33.5
|
16.8
|
26.7
|
38.3
|
17.1
|
30.4
|
|
Disability
|
7.0
|
6.6
|
6.8
|
9.6
|
9.8
|
9.6
|
|
Available school is co-education
|
-
|
1.3
|
0.5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
School is faraway from home
|
1.1
|
4.9
|
2.7
|
-
|
0.8
|
0.3
|
|
Other
|
6.6
|
6.2
|
6.5
|
12.3
|
9.8
|
11.6
|
|
Total
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
|
Total (n)
|
448
|
308
|
756
|
209
|
123
|
332
|
|
|
(-) means there is not enough observation in this
group. |
The main reason of child labour:
Percentage Distribution of Employed Children (6-17 years)
by Region, School Attendance and Reason for Work.
|
Region & Reason for Work
|
attending school (%)
|
not attending school (%)
|
Total
|
|
West Bank
|
|
To supplement household income
|
17.2
|
41.5
|
28.6
|
|
To help in family project
|
57.6
|
14.1
|
37.2
|
|
To be independent
|
3.1
|
16.5
|
9.4
|
|
To fill the time of summer vacation
|
20.8
|
0.3
|
11.2
|
|
He has nothing to do after leaving school
|
1.0
|
27.1
|
13.3
|
|
Other
|
0.3
|
0.5
|
0.3
|
|
Total
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
|
Total (n)
|
384
|
340
|
724
|
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
|
|
|
To supplement household income
|
34.5
|
45.8
|
39.1
|
|
To help in family project
|
48.9
|
10.4
|
33.2
|
|
To be independent
|
-
|
16.7
|
6.8
|
|
To fill the time of summer vacation
|
15.8
|
-
|
9.4
|
|
He has nothing to do after leaving school
|
-
|
24.0
|
9.8
|
|
Other
|
0.8
|
3.1
|
1.7
|
|
Total
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
|
Total (n)
|
139
|
96
|
235
|
|
|
(-) means there is not enough observation in this
group. |
Employment status:
Percentage Distribution of Employed Children (5-17 years)
by Employment Status and Region.
|
Employment Status
|
West Bank (%)
|
Gaza Strip (%)
|
Palestinian Territory (%)
|
|
Wage Employee
|
46.8
|
40.4
|
45.3
|
|
Employer/ Self Employed
|
2.7
|
5.5
|
3.4
|
|
Unpaid Family Member
|
50.5
|
54.1
|
51.3
|
|
Total
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
|
Total (n)
|
739
|
240
|
979
|
|
Occupation.
Percentage Distribution of Employed Children (5-17 years)
by Occupation and Region.
|
Occupation
|
West Bank (%)
|
Gaza Strip (%)
|
Palestinian Territory (%)
|
|
Service, Shop and Market workers
|
1.9
|
0.8
|
1.6
|
|
Skilled Agricultural and Fishing Workers
|
34.8
|
17.9
|
30.6
|
|
Craft and Related Trade workers
|
17.6
|
30.8
|
20.8
|
|
Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers
|
2.8
|
2.1
|
2.7
|
|
Elementary Occupation
|
42.5
|
48.4
|
43.9
|
|
Other Occupations
|
0.4
|
-
|
0.4
|
|
Total
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
|
Total (n)
|
739
|
240
|
979
|
|
|
(-) means there is not enough observation in this
group. |
Industry:
Percentage Distribution of Employed Children (5-17 years)
by Industry and Region.
|
Industry
|
West Bank (%)
|
Gaza Strip (%)
|
Palestinian Territory (%)
|
|
Agriculture, fishing and forestry
|
40.5
|
20.0
|
35.4
|
|
Mining, quarrying and manufacturing
|
17.9
|
25.8
|
19.8
|
|
Construction
|
15.6
|
7.5
|
13.6
|
|
Commerce, restaurants and hotels
|
20.2
|
26.7
|
21.8
|
|
Transportation, storage and communication
|
-
|
0.4
|
0.1
|
|
Services and other branches
|
5.8
|
19.6
|
9.3
|
|
Total
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
|
Total (n)
|
739
|
240
|
979
|
|
|
(-) means there is not enough observation in this
group. |
Place of Work:
Percentage Distribution of Employed Children
(5-17 years) by Place of Work.
|
Place of Work
|
Total
|
|
West Bank
|
65.9
|
|
Gaza Strip
|
21.0
|
|
Israel
|
2.7
|
|
Settlements
|
10.4
|
|
Total
|
100%
|
|
Total (n)
|
979
|
Hours of work and wages
The Average Daily Work Hours, Average Daily Wage/earnings
and Median Daily Wage/earnings in NIS.
| |
Place of Work
|
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
Israel & Settlements
|
|
Average daily work hours
|
8.0
|
8.7
|
8.2
|
|
Median of daily net wage/earnings in NIS
|
30.0
|
16.0
|
60.0
|
|
Average daily net wage/eain NIS
|
35.0
|
17.2
|
62.5
|
|
Employment Status:
Percentage Distribution of Employed Children (5-17 years)
by Employment Status and Area.
|
Area
|
Wage Employee
|
Self Employed
|
Unpaid Family Member
|
Total (%)
|
Total (n)
|
|
West Bank
|
|
West Bank North
|
36.0
|
1.5
|
62.5
|
100
|
398
|
|
West Bank Center
|
60.3
|
1.4
|
38.3
|
100
|
149
|
|
West Bank South
|
59.4
|
6.4
|
34.2
|
100
|
192
|
|
Total
|
46.9
|
2.8
|
50.3
|
100
|
739
|
|
Gaza strip |
|
|
Gaza City
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
59
|
|
Gaza North
|
50.6
|
7.8
|
41.6
|
100
|
77
|
|
Gaza Center
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
|
Gaza South
|
20.2
|
2.2
|
77.6
|
100
|
90
|
|
Total
|
40.4
|
5.5
|
54.1
|
100
|
240
|
|
Palestinian Territory
|
45.3
|
3.4
|
51.3
|
100
|
979
|
|
|
(-) means there is not enough observation in this
group. |
Percentage Distribution of Employed Children (5-17 years)
by Age, Employment Status and Region.
|
Region & Age
|
Wage Employee
|
Self Employed
|
Unpaid
Family Member
|
Total (%)
|
Total (n)
|
|
West Bank
|
|
5-9
|
4.5
|
-
|
95.5
|
100
|
44
|
|
10-14
|
29.4
|
2.5
|
68.1
|
100
|
240
|
|
15-17
|
60.3
|
3.1
|
36.6
|
100
|
455
|
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
5-9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
|
10-14
|
26.2
|
4.8
|
69.0
|
100
|
87
|
|
15-17
|
53.3
|
5.8
|
40.9
|
100
|
139
|
|
|
(-) means there is not enough observation in this
group. |
Percentage Distribution of Employed Children (6-17 years)
by School Attendance and Employment Status.
|
Employment Status
|
Attending school %
|
Not Attending school %
|
|
Wage Employee
|
20.9
|
73.4
|
|
Self Employed
|
3.1
|
3.8
|
|
Unpaid Family Member
|
76.0
|
22.8
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
|
Total (n)
|
523
|
436
|
|
Employed children (5-17years) by Work Benefits and
Region.
|
Work Condition
|
West Bank (%)
|
Gaza Strip (%)
|
Total (%)
|
|
Paid sick leave and Paid holidays
|
17.9
|
6.5
|
15.3
|
|
Bonuses
|
12.9
|
10.9
|
12.4
|
|
Work break
|
81.8
|
81.5
|
81.8
|
|
Free uniform
|
12.2
|
8.7
|
11.4
|
|
Free transport
|
28.8
|
10.9
|
24.8
|
|
Health insurance
|
8.8
|
2.2
|
7.3
|
|
Employer ask them for a medical report
before start working
|
1.3
|
1.1
|
1.2
|
|
Get training for there workplace
|
23.2
|
17.4
|
21.9
|
Head of Household Occupation:
Percentage Distribution of Children (5-17
years) by Head of Household Occupation and Employment Status.
|
Head of Household Occupation
|
Employed
|
Not Employed
|
|
Legislators, Senior Officials and Managers
|
6.8
|
93.2
|
|
Professionals, Technicians & Clerks
|
3.2
|
96.8
|
|
Service, Shop and Market workers
|
3.3
|
96.7
|
|
Skilled Agricultural and Fishing Workers
|
19.6
|
80.4
|
|
Craft and Related Trade workers
|
5.0
|
95.0
|
|
Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers
|
4.6
|
95.4
|
|
Elementary Occupation
|
6.2
|
93.8
|
|
Total
|
6.2%
|
93.8%
|
Children (5-17 years) by Employment Status, Region and
Daily Activities.
|
Daily Activity
|
West Bank (%)
|
Gaza Strip (%)
|
Total (%)
|
|
Employed Children
|
|
|
|
|
Play with friends
|
67.1
|
74.2
|
68.8
|
|
Like to draw
|
23.1
|
37.1
|
26.6
|
|
Play music
|
2.2
|
0.4
|
1.7
|
|
Act and dance
|
9.1
|
3.3
|
7.7
|
|
Read books other school book
|
10.1
|
45.8
|
41.5
|
|
Help in household chores
|
36.8
|
36.7
|
36.8
|
|
Haven’t time to do anything
|
7.0
|
10.0
|
7.8
|
|
Watch T.V
|
93.1
|
91.7
|
92.7
|
|
To a sport club
|
48.3
|
66.7
|
52.8
|
|
Not Employed Children
|
|
|
|
|
Play with friends
|
82.0
|
79.1
|
80.9
|
|
Like to draw
|
35.7
|
32.7
|
34.6
|
|
Play music
|
3.3
|
1.4
|
2.9
|
|
Act and dance
|
10.2
|
3.2
|
7.6
|
|
Read books other school book
|
40.8
|
47.8
|
43.4
|
|
Help in household chores
|
47.7
|
57.0
|
51.1
|
|
Haven’t time to do anything
|
1.1
|
2.9
|
1.8
|
|
Watch T.V
|
96.2
|
92.9
|
95.0
|
|
To a sport club
|
39.9
|
51.0
|
43.9
|
|