Research on Occupational Health and Working Conditions of Children Engaged in Work in a Traditional Textile Village

Introduction
Young child workers constitute a particular policy concern, as they are most vulnerable to workplace abuses, and most at risk of work-related ill-health or injury. This study is to evaluate working condition of children in a traditional textile village, the effects of working condition on children’s health and to suggest recommendation for policy implication and future interventions.

Methods
A cross-sectional study with qualitative (Focus group discussion and In-depth interview) and quantitative (questionnaires survey, health examination, environment measurement, psycho-physiological tests) was employed to explore a comprehensive knowledge about work condition and health status of children engaged in work.

Results
Hazardous factors were found in working environment in textile enterprises such as poor lighting (100-400lux lower than the OSH standards), heat (2.6 – 3.7oC higher than the OSH standards), noise (5.5 – 19.1 dBA higher than the OSH standards), and dust (especially cotton dust which is cause of byssinosis). Work characteristics: Simple, monotonous, repetitive, awkward postures which were risk factors to muscolo-skeletal disorders. The most common symptoms were headache (86.2%); muscolo-skeletal pains (85.8%); cough (46.5%); sore-throat (42,5%). Health examination showed that conjunctivitis (49.0%); itching and rash (20.2%); and sore-throat (20.2%). Audiometric test found 20 cases of light hearing loss (left ears) and 7 cases in right ears; especially, 1 case of typical hearing loss due to noise. Respiratory test found 31 cases (32%) of restrictive syndrome and 2 cases (2.0%) of obstructive syndrome.

Discussion
There were no children engaged in those jobs/works prohibited for adolescents, but some work positions have violated The regulation on Hazardous work conditions prohibited for adolescents. Many regulations on occupational health and safety in Law of Labor were not applied such as periodic health examination; measurement and monitoring work environment; limitation of working time for adolescent labourers; provision and use of PPEs and training for new workers.