In 2014, Bolivia made global headlines by becoming the first country in the world to legalise child labour from the age of 10 years old, a move that sparked intense debate internationally and domestically. This unprecedented decision challenged prevailing global norms regarding child rights and protection, raising both concern and curiosity about the social, economic, and cultural context behind it. While critics argue that it undermines efforts to end child exploitation, supporters claim that it recognizes the realities of poverty and gives children legal protections that they would otherwise lack.
The Law and Its Provisions
The controversial law, passed by the Bolivian government under then-President Evo Morales, allows children as young as 10 years old to legally work under certain conditions. The law lowered the previous minimum working age of 14, as set by Bolivian law in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards. However, Bolivia’s new legislation introduced specific criteria:
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Children aged 10 or older are allowed to work independently, provided the work is not harmful to their health or development and does not interfere with their education.
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Children aged 12 and up can work under contract, but employers must receive approval from a governmental child protection office and ensure the job complies with labor and educational standards.
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All child workers must be registered and their rights monitored.
Supporters of the law emphasized that rather than encouraging child labour, it aimed to regulate and protect working children who were already part of Bolivia’s informal workforce.
The Economic Reality Behind the Law
Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America, with significant portions of the population living under the poverty line. For many families, especially in rural areas and indigenous communities, children have historically contributed to household income through agricultural work, street vending, shoe shining, or helping in family-run businesses.
Estimates at the time suggested that more than 850,000 children and adolescents were working in Bolivia — many of them informally and without any form of protection or oversight. In this context, the government argued that prohibiting child labour outright did not prevent it from happening — it simply pushed it underground, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and unsafe conditions.
The government, in cooperation with local child labor unions such as the Union of Child and Adolescent Workers of Bolivia (UNATSBO), contended that acknowledging the reality of child labor and providing legal protections was a more humane and practical solution.
Reactions from the International Community
The decision was widely criticized by international organizations, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Human Rights Watch, who expressed concern that it violated children’s rights and undermined global efforts to eradicate child labor.
The ILO noted that Bolivia’s new law breached its Minimum Age Convention, which sets the general minimum age for work at 15 (or 14 in developing nations under certain conditions) and 18 for hazardous work. Human Rights Watch warned that legalizing child labor at such a young age risked normalizing exploitation and reducing school attendance, especially for vulnerable and impoverished children.
Despite these criticisms, Bolivia defended its approach as contextually appropriate, asserting that its policy was rooted in respect for local realities and child agency, rather than Western-imposed standards.
The Role of Child Workers in Advocating for the Law
One of the most unusual and powerful aspects of this legislation was the active role that working children themselves played in shaping it. Groups such as UNATSBO lobbied the government, held protests, and provided testimonies highlighting the need for recognition and protection rather than outright prohibition.
These child workers, many of whom were from poor and indigenous backgrounds, argued that their economic contributions were vital for their families' survival and that being able to work legally would allow them to assert their rights, demand safer conditions, and continue their education.
Their voices challenged the dominant narrative of children as passive victims, instead presenting them as agents of change demanding both protection and autonomy.
Concerns About Education and Long-Term Development
One of the primary concerns raised by critics is the potential negative impact on education. Early entry into the labor market often correlates with higher dropout rates, lower literacy levels, and diminished opportunities for upward mobility. Even with provisions mandating that work must not interfere with schooling, many question how effective enforcement can be, especially in remote or informal work settings.
In Bolivia, where access to quality education remains unequal and inconsistent, legalizing child labor could inadvertently incentivize families to prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term educational goals, perpetuating cycles of poverty.
However, some studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that when children's work is integrated with education — for instance, in family businesses or after-school jobs — the impact on schooling may be less severe, especially when legal protections and monitoring are in place.
A Dilemma Between Idealism and Realism
Bolivia’s move exposes a deeper tension in global development discourse: the conflict between universal ideals and local realities. While the international consensus aims to eliminate child labor as a moral and developmental goal, countries like Bolivia argue that such positions often ignore the on-the-ground economic and cultural complexities of life in impoverished regions.
The Bolivian law was not framed as an endorsement of child labor, but rather as a harm reduction strategy — a way to make an existing practice safer and more regulated while working toward broader socioeconomic reforms.
This approach is echoed in academic and development circles that argue for more nuanced, context-sensitive policies, especially in regions where child labor is intertwined with survival and family dynamics.
Monitoring and Enforcement Challenges
Despite its intentions, the success of the Bolivian model hinges on effective monitoring and enforcement — areas where many developing nations struggle. Ensuring that children are not exploited, that their work does not harm their health or schooling, and that employers comply with legal requirements, demands significant institutional capacity and resources.
In practice, weak enforcement can turn a protective law into a loophole for exploitation. Without robust oversight mechanisms and social safety nets, critics warn that legalizing child labor may unintentionally worsen vulnerabilities, especially for girls and marginalized communities.
The Broader Debate on Child Labour
Bolivia’s decision reignited the global debate on child labour — a complex issue that sits at the intersection of poverty, rights, development, and culture. While the goal of eliminating harmful child labor remains widely accepted, opinions diverge on how to achieve it, especially in contexts where children's economic participation is not merely a choice but a necessity.
The Bolivian case serves as a reminder that blanket solutions may not work everywhere and that child labor policies must grapple with the realities of global inequality, limited resources, and cultural diversity.
Conclusion: A Cautionary but Thought-Provoking Move
In becoming the first country to legalise child labour from age 10, Bolivia made a bold, controversial, and thought-provoking policy choice. Whether seen as a step backward for children’s rights or a pragmatic response to complex realities, the law challenges conventional thinking and invites deeper reflection on what child protection really means in different parts of the world.
As Bolivia continues to evolve its legal framework and social programs, the international community will be watching closely — not only to assess the law’s outcomes but also to understand whether other countries facing similar challenges might follow suit. Ultimately, the goal must remain the same: protecting children's rights, promoting education, and addressing the root causes of child labor — poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity.
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