ASSESSMENT OF CHILD LABOR EXPLOITATION AMONG STREET VENDORS IN THE INFORMAL URBAN ECONOMY: A CASE STUDY OF WOLKITE TOWN.

Abstract

This study evaluates the exploitation of child labour among street vendors in Wolkite Town's informal urban economy. The study uses a descriptive case study design and a combination of research techniques to quantify and understand the conditions of child labour in this setting. A combination of random and non-random selection methods were used to choose representative samples of child street vendors. Focus group discussion, interviews, and questionnaires were used to gather data. Qualitative data were examined descriptively and by triangulation, whereas survey data were examined using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The results indicate that child labour exploitation is prevalent among street vendors in Wolkite Town, with children often working long hours in adverse conditions, lacking access to education and fair compensation, which hinders their overall development. The study identifies poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and insufficient regulatory measures as primary factors contributing to this exploitation. To mitigate these issues, the study recommends enhancing economic opportunities for families, strengthening regulatory frameworks to protect child workers, and improving access to education and career development for these kids.