“Thirty-four million of young people having a productive and decent employment build progress”. This is the title of a recent book edited by the International Labor Organization about decent work and Brazilian youngsters (ILO, 2009).

In 2008, there were in Latin American 44.3 million of young students and among those, 12.6 millions did study and work (ILO, 2010). Work provides adolescents with benefits, such as professional qualification, family income, partial financial independence, and feelings of responsibility. However, the literature shows negative consequences of an early entry into the job market.  Work-related diseases and work injuries resulting from the activities performed at work by adolescents are quite significant. 

A number of studies have documented the negative effects of combined work and schooling on the sleep-wake cycle of adolescents. These studies suggested that work is associated with high levels of fatigue symptoms, sleepiness on the job and at school.  Working students reported having difficulty in maintaining attention, insufficient time to do homework and restricted time to engage in social and extracurricular activities. Changes in life styles are also described, such as increase in caffeinate beverages, reduction of physical activities, bad nutrition habits. 

The aforementioned problems associated with teens at work are a complex issue that should be addressed by authorities, nongovernmental agencies, and the private sector. The government and the private sector might offer adolescents part-time jobs, as such an approach would reduce sleep deficit and promote learning.  Students would have the opportunity to be trained and learn a profession and, at the same time, carry out educational activities. Under such a regime, the evening period could be dedicated to leisure and rest, instead of attending evening classes. The number of job positions available in the marketplace would be increased, adult unemployment would be reduced, and thus qualified professionals would be trained who could break loose from poverty.

A sustainable future must include equity for teens at work. Such goal would be attained with professional training, a formal work access, and healthy work. This latter should embrace ergonomic aspects of the work activities, the work organization including the working time arrangements, reconciling work and study time.