The Philippines has a legal framework designed to address child labor, anchored in RA No.
9231 also known as the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and
Discrimination Act. This law provides for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and
affords stronger protection for working children.
It was also amended in Section 12 of the same act that children below 15 years of age shall not
be employed except when the child works directly under the sole responsibility of his/her
parents or legal guardian provided that the employment will neither endangers his/her life,
safety, health, and morals nor impairs his/her normal development. The child should also attain
a primary or secondary education. Also, it is an exception from employment prohibition when a
child’s employment in public entertainment or information is essential. Given that, it is concluded
by the child’s legal guardian with the express agreement of the child concerned and with the
approval of DOLE.
A child below 15 years of age shall not work more than 4 hours at any given day.
Working hours and conditions for minors in the Philippines are strictly regulated to protect their
safety and well-being. Minors below 15 years of age are not allowed to work more than 4 hours
a day and more than 20 hours a week. Also, minors aged 15 to 18 must not exceed 8 hours per
day and 40 hours per week. These minors are also prohibited from working between 8 p.m. and
6 a.m.
Minors, regardless of age, are strictly prohibited from engaging in hazardous work,
which includes activities that expose them to physical, chemical, or biological hazards,
or any work detrimental to their health, safety, or morals.
Section 13 of the same act also states that all children shall have access to proper education
and training for working children. No child shall be deprived to have a formal or non-formal
education.
Child labor remains a persistent issue in the Philippines despite the various laws and
international agreements designed to combat it. Due to underlying socio-economic problems
like poverty and lack of access to education, many children were forced or choose to work to
meet daily necessities.
The PH government has taken steps to address these challenges through establishing
programs like Batad Malaya
There is also a program called the Philippine Program against Child labor which hopes
to transform the lives of existing child laborers, their families, and communities, towards
their sense of self-worth, empowerment, and development. It also works towards the
prevention and progressive elimination of child labor through protection, withdrawal,
healing, and reintegration of child workers into a caring society.
Child labor remains a persistent issue in the Philippines despite the various laws and
international agreements designed to combat it. Due to underlying socio-economic problems
like poverty and lack of access to education, many children were forced or choose to work to
meet daily necessities.
The Philippines has a legal framework designed to address child labor, anchored in RA No.
9231 also known as the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and
Discrimination Act. This law provides for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and
affords a stronger protection for working children.
It was also amended in this law that children below 15 years of age shall not be employed
except:
when the child works directly under the sole responsibility of his/her parents or legal
guardian provided that the employment will neither endanger his/her life, safety, health,
and morals nor impairs his/her normal development. The child should also attain a
primary or secondary education.
when a child’s employment in public entertainment or information is essential. Given
that, it is concluded by the child’s legal guardian with the express agreement of the child
concerned and with the approval of DOLE.
Working hours and conditions for minors in the Philippines are strictly regulated to protect their
safety and well-being. Minors below 15 years of age are not allowed to work more than 4 hours
a day and more than 20 hours a week. Also, minors aged 15 to 18 must not exceed 8 hours per
day and 40 hours per week. These minors are also prohibited from working between 8 p.m. and
6 a.m.
Section 13 of the same act also states that all children shall have access to proper education
and training for working children. No child shall be deprived to have a formal or non-formal
education.
Minors, regardless of age, are strictly prohibited from engaging in hazardous work, which
includes activities that expose them to physical, chemical, or biological hazards, or any work
detrimental to their health, safety, or morals.
Eradicating child labor in the PH requires a collective effort from both the government
and society to create an environment where every child can grow, learn, and thrive in a
supportive environment and have the opportunity to enjoy a safe and healthy childhood free
from the burdens of labor.
