U.N.: Millions of kids in hazardous work

UNITED NATIONS, June 10 (UPI) -- More than 100 million child laborers are at risk of injury, disease or death, the International Labor Organization said Friday.

The U.N. agency's report, "Children in Hazardous Work: What We Know, What We Need to Do," cites studies indicating that a child worker suffers an occupational accident, illness or psychological trauma every minute.

The United Nations is observing the World Day against Child Labor on Sunday.

The ILO said the total number of children 5 to 17 in hazardous work fell from 2004 to 2008, but those ages 15 to 17 increased from 52 million to 62 million.

An ILO report last year warned that the campaign against the worst abuses was stalling and the global economic crisis could frustrate the goal of abolishing the worst forms of child labor by 2016.

The new document calls for redoubling efforts to keep all children in school at least until minimum employment age and informing them of their risks, rights and responsibilities.

The study says the problem exists in the United States and Europe as well as developing countries.