Child labor in restaurants in Yangon, Myanmar

Abstract

The main objective of the research is to study how the best interests of the child are considered in the employment of children in order to ensure the development of children who have to work. This study focused only on restaurants and teashops in the urban informal economic sector in which more child labor are found openly. Qualitative methodology is used, including in-depth and semi‐structured interviews with child laborers and parents, employers, the concerned civil society organizations and government agencies. The type of work is not hazardous but the conditions of their work are still exploitative. The government has not a clear policy on and the concern for child labor protection and welfare; and the existing laws for child protection are not enforced effectively. Based on the perception of the children, their parents, and employers, the study finds that the best interest of child labor in teashops and restaurants is for them to have education and work. An alternative is seen in the provision of vocational trainings which non-government organizations can be a driving force, or initiating a model of apprenticeship. However, the challenges are the limited capability of NGOs, the less interest of employers and weak coordination from government agencies