Irene Lôbo
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - The National Residential Sample Survey (Pnad 2003/IBGE) found that the biggest decrease in the number of working children and adolescents occurred between 1995 and 2003, precisely the period during which the National Program for the Erradication of Child Labor (Peti) began to function. The Peti was formulated in 1995 and officially inaugurated in 1996.

Between 1995 and 2001, the percentage of working children in the 5-9 age bracket declined from 3.2% to 1.3%. In the 10-14 age bracket, it fell from 18.7% to 11.6%, and in the 15-17 age bracket, the decrease was from 44% to 31.5%.

In the most recent study, done in 2003, the percentage of working children in the 5-9 age bracket remained at 1.3% ; in the 10-14 group, it was down to 10.4%; and in the 15-17 group, 30.3%. In a more detailed analysis, the study found that the largest percentage of working children came from the 14-15 bracket (19.6%).

Brazilian law prohibits boys and girls under the age of 14 from working. Between 14 and 15, they can only work as apprentices, provided the jobs are not dangerous, unhealthy, strenuous, or at night. Between 16 and 17, they can work as apprentices or regularly listed employees assured of all labor and social security rights.

Translation: David Silberstein