Children in the Labour Processes: Challenges Faced by Children Engaged in Street Trading in Bindura Urban · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Muhwati, Tawanda

Title

Children in the Labour Processes: Challenges Faced by Children Engaged in Street Trading in Bindura Urban

Abstract

Challenges facing children engaged in street trading are among the social problems in Zimbabwe. The study had four objectives; these were; to find out the nature of street trading activities conducted by children in Bindura, to establish the causes of street trading among children, to find out the challenges faced by children engaged in street trading and to investigate the coping strategies to address the challenges. In order to understand challenges faced by children engaged in street trading, the study relied on the Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs theory and the Foundational Child Labour Theory propounded by Basu and Van(1998).The study used observations and interviews as data collection tools on the lives and working experiences of children involved in street trading in Bindura urban. Information was gathered from a sample of 15 children who were operating in urban streets of Bindura. Additional information was obtained from six (6) key informants. Four (4) of which were from local authority and governmental department combined and two (2) adult traders who worked in the urban streets of Bindura. The study revealed that challenges children faced greatly emanated from their respective households. Among the challenges faced by children involved in street trading were victimisation, interruption on education, stress, hazardous working conditions, harsh economic environment, physical and emotional abuse, lack of contracts and lack of leisure time. It also showed the indifference characterising today’s society regarding the participation of children in labour processes. Children’s perceptions and future aspirations were also established in the study. Under the study, recommendations were made as to enhance the Government and NGO’s efforts towards addressing challenges faced by children whilst street trading. There is the need to ensure uninterrupted education attainment amongst children engaged in street trading. Government and NGO’s have to raise awareness in communities on parental responsibilities and obligations. Through the findings it was noted that programmes for educating children on their rights were essential.

Date

2022

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Labour Processes

Street Trading

Supervisor

N/A