Análisis constitucional de las políticas públicas para la prevención del trabajo infantil

Abstract

Child labor in Ecuador remains a challenge despite constitutional protections. Limited opportunities and family unemployment, which reached 9% in 2022 and fell to 7% in 2023, push many children into work, especially in hazardous sectors. According to the International Labor Organization, approximately 160 million children worldwide are victims of child labor, with 79 million exposed to hazardous work. The research, which combined qualitative methods and bibliographic analysis, revealed the need for effective policies to eradicate this problem, emphasizing children's rights. The results show us that child exploitation has been fostered by colonization, affecting indigenous children in particular. Historically, child labor is not a new phenomenon; its presence has been documented since pre-capitalist societies and intensified during the industrial revolution in Europe. This vulnerability is reflected in the increase in poverty in Ecuador, which reached 11.6% in 2023. In addition to economic pressure, factors such as lack of education contribute to children dropping out of school, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. High dropout rates, 2.11% in the 2021-2022 period, raise concerns about the future of these children. In conclusion, we emphasize that programs must be implemented to protect and promote the protection of children and guarantee their right to a dignified childhood. The disconnect between the law and its effective implementation is alarming and must be addressed urgently.