The Algerian Legal Framework for the Economic Exploitation of Children: International Standards and Prospects for Reform

The phenomenon of child economic exploitation is an alarming global reality, often exacerbated by economic precariousness that forces many families to sacrifice their children’s education for the sake of an additional income. However, this practice exposes a particularly vulnerable population to serious risks, affecting their physical, mental, and social development. To address this challenge, the international community has developed a legal framework aimed at guaranteeing the protection of children. Major instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), particularly Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, have established universal standards. These texts serve as the foundation for national legislation, obliging states to implement concrete measures to prohibit dangerous child labor, set a minimum age for employment, and sanction offenders. Thus, this study aims to explore in depth the legal protection framework for children against economic exploitation. It will not be limited to cataloging international and national instruments but will also analyze how these laws are applied, the challenges encountered in their implementation, and the persistent gaps. The objective is to highlight the complexity of the phenomenon and to emphasize the need for constant vigilance to ensure the dignity and fundamental rights of every child.