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A new report by Afghanistan Human Rights Commission shows that of the 1.2 million child laborers in the country, 16 percent of them are subjected to some form of abuse, of which 43 percent is physical abuse.

The chairperson of the commission, Sima Samar, said at an event in Kabul that child laborers in Afghanistan are aged between seven and 18 years old and that 56 percent of them have been deprived of an education.

The report shows that 90 percent of these children work more than 35 hours a week and 56 percent of them are happy about their work. However, 43 percent of them are not happy about the situation.

“I witnessed an incident in which a head of a job stabbed a child, who was a carpet weaver, with a knife. Children are happy until such incidents happen,” Samar said. 

The report indicates that 84 percent of children who work hand over their income to their families. 

Sixty-one percent of children work in an unhealthy environment in terms of hygiene and 57 percent of them deal with diseases, the report says. 

It stated that 40 percent of children that work also face threats, stress and physical abuse. 

Zaki, a child who works in a metal shop, said he has to work to support his family.

“I have to work to help my family. I could not go to school,” Zaki said.

“I go to school but I have to learn a profession; therefore, I come here and learn it,” Habibzai, another child said.

The Afghanistan Human Rights Commission says a study has found that 1.2 million of all children in the country work.

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A new report by Afghanistan Human Rights Commission shows that of the 1.2 million child laborers in the country, 16 percent of them are subjected to some form of abuse, of which 43 percent is physical abuse.

The chairperson of the commission, Sima Samar, said at an event in Kabul that child laborers in Afghanistan are aged between seven and 18 years old and that 56 percent of them have been deprived of an education.

The report shows that 90 percent of these children work more than 35 hours a week and 56 percent of them are happy about their work. However, 43 percent of them are not happy about the situation.

“I witnessed an incident in which a head of a job stabbed a child, who was a carpet weaver, with a knife. Children are happy until such incidents happen,” Samar said. 

The report indicates that 84 percent of children who work hand over their income to their families. 

Sixty-one percent of children work in an unhealthy environment in terms of hygiene and 57 percent of them deal with diseases, the report says. 

It stated that 40 percent of children that work also face threats, stress and physical abuse. 

Zaki, a child who works in a metal shop, said he has to work to support his family.

“I have to work to help my family. I could not go to school,” Zaki said.

“I go to school but I have to learn a profession; therefore, I come here and learn it,” Habibzai, another child said.

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