Child and adolescent labour: A socio-legal approach in Ecuador

Abstract

Child and adolescent labour are considered a social phenomenon, whose activity limits minors in their natural development, and therefore prevents the evolution of their intellectual capacities, potentials, cognitive abilities, and desires, which are essential to form a progress of integral development. The objective of this study was to analyze child and adolescent labour from a social and legal perspective in Ecuador. The methodology applied was based on the review of scientific literature and the study of the national legal framework and international norms, with a rational epistemological approach, and under a qualitative design, as it was based on written evidence oriented towards the description of the social phenomenon under study, with the aim of understanding and explaining its characteristics, through the application of analytical, inductive and deductive methods. The Constitutional norm contemplates the successive eradication of child labour, at the same time Ecuador is subject to international conventions and treaties that prohibit any type of labour-related activity, in order to protect the rights of children and adolescents, However, this is a phenomenon within the social system that needs to be treated as a priority by the State and international organisations, since, even when labour activity is accepted for adolescents from 15 years of age, other rights such as education and recreation must be guaranteed, as well as preventing labour exploitation of this vulnerable class.