Child labour is the exploitation of children through any form of work that interferes with their ability to attend regular school, or is mentally, physically, socially and morally harmful. Such exploitation is prohibited by legislation worldwide, although these laws do not consider all work by children as child labour; exceptions include work by child artists, family duties, supervised training, and some forms of work undertaken by Amish children, as well as by Indigenous children in the Americas.
A Palestinian child labourer at the Israeli settlement of Kalya on the Dead Sea
A child labourer in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Child coal miners in Prussia, late 19th century
A Chinese child repairing shoes, late 19th century
Work or labour is the intentional activity people perform to support the needs and wants of themselves, others, or a wider community. In the context of economics, work can be viewed as the human activity that contributes towards the goods and services within an economy.
A blacksmith working
A World War II aircraft worker, Vega Aircraft Corporation, Burbank, California, 1942.
Piano tuner is an example of an unusual profession.
Bal maidens with traditional tools and protective clothing spalling ore, 1858