There are many sources for measuring the prevalence of child labor in Egypt. These sources differ considerably in the approaches adopted, and hence it is important to take into account these differences while comparing the prevalence across surveys and the trends over time. Some key differences include: 

• the main objectives of the studies (whether child labor was the main focus or a by-product of the study)

• the approach adopted in identifying the phenomenon of child labor (whether the respondent was an adult or the working child, whether the child's eligibility was defined by age or working conditions, and whether there was a special module or not for the child)

• the definition of child labor and the exact wording used (particularly whether irregular, unpaid, home-based, and/or agricultural work was included) 

• the time reference for work as well as the date of field work (seasonality of work greatly affects the prevalence estimates).

Generally speaking, surveys whose main objective is measurement of child labor may under-estimate the phenomenon if respondents are sensitive about the illegal nature of child work. Adult respondents are also more likely than child respondents to deny the occurrence of child labor. On the other hand, explicit description of the definition of child work and probing questions are more likely to capture the phenomenon.

One of the main sources of child labor in Egypt is the Labor Force Sample Survey (LFSS). The Central Agency of Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) has frequently conducted these surveys. The surveys measure child labor within the context of national labor force surveys. Child labor is reported by an adult in the household, and a special module may consequently be administered to working children. The 1988 LFSS in particular was quite detailed, including a number of modules in addition to the household roster. These modules allowed several opportunities to cross-check and adjust the prevalence estimates obtained from the household roster. Furthermore, the 1988 LFSS is believed to have coincided with a period of seasonal work during which school children were absent from school. Following 1988, a less detailed approach was adopted to measure child labor, and there appears to have been no further special module or extensive probing on child labor. 

Data calculated from the results of the Labor Force Sample Survey (LFSS) (1988) for mentioned various years

The estimates summarized in the previous table indicate that about 10% of Egyptian children aged 6-14 were working during the mid seventies. This percentage increased a little and fluctuated between 12 and 14 percent in the mid eighties. Labor force surveys conducted during 1990's show a very sharp drop in the prevalence of the child labor. However, as indicated, these surveys have adopted a different and less extensive approach in their identification of child labor.

Data from Labor Force Sample Survey (LFSS) (1988), Egypt Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) (1988), Egypt Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (EMICS) (1996), Social and Health Status and Educational Achievement of Adolescents in Egypt (ASCE) (1998), and Egyptian Labor Market Survey (ELMS) (1998)

The inconsistency of the different estimates provided in the previous table is evident. Noting that recent surveys with lower estimates of child labor tend to also estimate smaller percentages of children doing both work and study as well as unpaid work, it is likely that these surveys have underestimated the two categories.

It is important to highlight some of the main differences between these surveys:

• The EDHS survey's main focus is health. Only one question was addressed, to the adult respondent (Did (name) work during the last month?), with no attempt to explain what should be considered work.

• The EMICS survey differentiated between unpaid and paid work. Two questions were asked: Is (child name) regularly engaged in unpaid family work(on the farm or in a business)?, Is (child name) currently doing any kind of work for pay?. The questions were addressed to the adult respondent.

• The ASCE survey identified the working child in two ways. The first is through a number of questions to the household head: Is (name) currently doing any work for cash?, Is (name) currently running own business (even if this work is done at home but he/she earns money from it?, Is (name) currently involved in unpaid family work in a business or on a farm?. The second is through interviewing a subsample of children aged 10-14 (regardless of their work status). The prevalence estimate of child labor for household rosters was then adjusted, taking account of the children reports.

• The ELMS survey is a specialized labor survey that attempted to assess changes in prevalence of child labor between 1988 and 1998. It adopted the same methodology as the LFSS 1988. Both surveys used an extended labor force definition. This definition includes all those engaged in any subsistence production. In 1998, one definition of employment constrained it to those who engage in production for the purposes of exchange, which provides an estimate of the market labor force.

Further details on the changes by age groups and sex across the LFSS-88 AND ELMS-98 surveys are provided in the following table.

Data from Labor Force Sample Survey (LFSS) (1988) and Egyptian Labor Market Survey (ELMS) (1998) 

All images are copyrighted to Nassif Azmy
@ Social Research Center
Suggestions and Comments to: srchild@aucegypt.edu