Convention 138, the Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, was adopted in 1973 and signed by more than 60 countries. The US Department of Labor estimates that at least 250 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 work in developing countries. Child labor is especially prevalent in rural areas where the capacity to enforce minimum age requirements for schooling and work is lacking.
Children work for various reasons, often to financially support themselves and their families.
An estimated 5.5 million youth ages 12-17 are employed in the United States, not including illegal employment. Thousands of children as young as 6-8 years old work as seasonal and migrant farm workers. Worldwide, various parties have made progress in addressing child labor concerns. The 107th US Congress is pursuing legislation to eradicate child labor. Since 1996, several large international conferences have focused on agendas for action.