Social Implications of Child Labour: A Field Study in the Central-Western Region of Tunisia

This article examines the social implications of child labour in the central-western region of Tunisia, with a focus on how early employment affects children and their families. The study employed a mixed-methods design, combining three focus groups with 473 survey responses. Findings indicate that poverty and deprivation are the main drivers of child labour, with children working in agriculture, construction, trade and domestic services between the ages of 11 and 17. While most children regularly contribute to household expenses, their low wages and unsafe working conditions fail to improve family living standards and often expose them to health risks, exploitation, and school discontinuation. Parents, although aware of the risks, generally show implicit acceptance of child labour due to financial pressures. The study concludes that child labour does not alleviate poverty but instead perpetuates social inequalities and deepens the vulnerability of disadvantaged families. Urgent policy interventions are required to strengthen social protection, ensure safe educational environments, and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty in Tunisia’s central-western region.