CHAPTER 7: CHILDREN IN OPERATING AND ABUSE 1 - Economic exploitation and child labour The government through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security initiated with the support of UNICEF a survey on child labour in urban areas (2001-2002). The target population covered by the study consisted of children aged 5 to 16 years engaged in economic activities within the household or outside, whether paid or not. In total 3155 children, including 2461 boys (78%) and 694 girls (21.99%) were surveyed. About 2,457 children or 77.8% of the surveyed population, were of Congolese nationality, the others being foreigners. The sites surveyed were the councils of Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, Dolisie, Nkayi and Ouesso. According to this survey, the nature of activities in which children are involved is very diverse. The predominant activity performed by children is sale (76%), with 58% for sedentary sale and 17.9% for street vending. The results of this survey helped in gaining knowledge of the spatial distribution, structure and various information about child labour in order to enable the development of a guide and a plan for monitoring the situation of the child. The surveyed children workers were mostly supported by the OVC project between 2004 and 2007. The question then arose was whether there were not other forms of work that could harm the physical, moral and mental development of the child. During the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) we wanted to closely look at situations of working from home and forms of family help. However, Congo has legal instruments that prohibit child labour. That is the Labour Code in Article 116 which states that: children cannot be employed in any enterprise before the age of 16 years unless waived by the Minister of Education after consulting the Labour Inspector (....) and Law No. 4-2010 on child protection in the Republic of Congo in article 68 prohibits "premature labour, the worst forms of domestic work and any other activity which threaten the physical or mental health of the child. " These texts are less and less implemented; this is especially worrying as it is necessary to reactivate them. In fact, the work of non-legal-age children (under 15 years) is not limited solely to income generating activities outside the household in petty trade, construction, quarries or mines. It also covers work in plantations and family business, as well as and domestic work, which keep more than half of the children busy, and this, for more than 4 hours per day. Considered as a form of learning or initiation for future trades or occupations for parents or an initiation to household life (for girls) and sometimes, a source of extra income for low income household, these works are considered by parents (CAP survey on the care of small childrenUNICEF 2002) as 'a Necessary Evil' to the educational virtues, but which could be a hindrance to children’s education. 110