Albania "60% of children drop out of school to work"

January 1, 2004

Comment: The article reports on a study conducted by the State Inspectorate of Labor about child labour, finding that up to 60% of children drop out of school to work. The research shows that the highest percentage of children who work is concentrated around the production sector, like in fishing, clothes – and shoe-making.

Last years, there was an increase in the number of children who work, by 8.2%, in the restaurants and bars. The research study points out that 36% of children work illegally and that 44% have been hired without medical examinations. In the industry of clothing mostly young girls under the age of 18 are involved, making up 76.6% in 2007 and 52.8 % in 2008. The second area, in which children are more engaged is fishing industry where in 2007 12% of children work while in 2008 it came into 23.9%. The study was presented at a round-table and the government committed itself to change legislation to stop child labour and to keep children at school no matter what their family situation may be. Many so-called “street children” drop out of school cause of the difficult economical conditions of their family. In the capital city of Tirana, you can easily find children who sell cigarettes all through the day, moving from one bar to another.

One thing the article does not mention is the situation of Roma community. A recent report, “Education of Roma Children in Albania” pointed out that around 54% of Roma children from 6 to 16 years old never attended and finished an academic year at school and that 43% of them were illiterate, making this community the most vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.

Even though this article is focused on trafficking, topic widely covered in Albanian media, the approach chosen is new and original, because it also shows possible intervention programs planned by state officials. This is very important since the Albanian Government has still not developed a specific program (aside from education) to prevent and diminish school drop-outs.

(This Press review is under the framework of EIDHR funded project, implemented jointly with the Legal Clinic for Minors, Albania)