Household Poverty and its Effect on Child Labour Use among Palm oil Processors in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the effect of household poverty on child participation in Palm oil processing in Abia state Nigeria using primary data from a well structured questionnaire from fifty household heads and a hundred children within the ages of 7-15years in the study area. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Foster- Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) poverty index. The result of the study revealed that bunch harvesting was the most important child labour activity in the area while the major reason for participating in the child labour work was to supplement parent income and to take care of younger siblings. The result of the FGT poverty analysis also revealed that children from poor households engage more in child labour activities when compared with children from non poor households. Fall from trees was the major hazard faced by children in the study area. The study recommended government to educate parents and caregivers on activities that are truly hazardous to children for this will empower them to make informed choices.