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Child protection policy in Tanzania
Employment of a Child
In line with Tanzania’s Child Employment Act 2009, here are a few of the most important
questions you need to ask yourself as a parent.
A child’s right to work
Light work is work that is not likely to cause harm to the child's health or development and that
does not prevent or interfere with the child's participation in school or other educational activities.
A child is a person who is under eighteen years of age under the same law.
Prohibit exploitative labour
Employing or engaging a child in any form of exploitative labour is prohibited by law. The board
of child rights protection policy takes the necessary steps to ensure that all children who are legally
employed or engaged by The board of child rights protection policy or its partners, contractors or
consultants are protected from any discrimination that could have a negative impact on them,
taking into account their age and changing capabilities. Labour is considered exploitative when it
deprives a child of his or her health or development. Child development, in the context of the well-
being of a child, refers to the process of change through which a child reaches his or her physical,
mental and emotional potential, while simultaneously engaging with the environment throughout
his or her lifetime. Again when It exceeds six hour a day, It is inappropriate to his/her age e.g.
working in a bar or pub, mining and quarrying, porterage of heavy loads or The child receives
inadequate remuneration not equal to the value of the work done
Prohibition of night work
No child shall be employed or involved in a service performance contract that necessitates a
child working at night. Night work is defined as work between 20:00 and 06:00.
Prohibition of forced child labour
The law prohibits the inducement, procurement, demand or imposition of forced child labour,
including bonded labour or other work done by a person under penalty. However, forced labour
does not include work that is part of the ordinary civic obligation, such as minor community
services performed by members of the community in the community's direct interest.
Prohibited hazardous employment
Employment or involvement of a child in hazardous work that puts them at risk of physical or
mental harm is prohibited for the purpose of this policy. Hazardous work is deemed to be
hazardous if it poses a risk to a person's health, safety, or morals. Examples of hazardous work
include: fishing, mining and quarrying, carrying heavy loads, chemical manufacturing industrial
works or to work in place where machines are used; work in places such as bars, hotels and spaces
of entertaining. Similarly, It is illegal to employ or hire a child in any kind of work or trade that
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involves the child in sexual activities, regardless of whether the child is paid for it or not. Protection
of children from discrimination a child has the right to live without discrimination. No any
institution, private sector etc. should discriminate against a child based on gender, racial, ethnic,
religious, linguistic, political views, disability, health condition, custom, rural or urban origin, birth
status, socio-economic status, refugee status or any other status. Procedures / rules for working
with children when working with children, it is essential to comply with the requirements of the
law as well as with the beliefs and values of their religion. This is to prevent abuse and exploitation
of children.
Prohibited behaviour
The following behaviours are strictly prohibited when working together with the children. In a
nutshell these behaviours are, Assault or physically abuse a child, Engage in sexual relations with
a child under 18 years old, regardless of whether the child is of consent locally, Behave in a
manner that is likely to cause physical harm to a child or expose a child to the risk of physical
harm or sexual exploitation or if you allow a child (children) they are working with to stay at their
home overnight, without supervision, or to spend an excessive amount of time alone with a child,
Encourage or participate in behaviour that is unlawful, dangerous, exploitative, or abusive toward
a child, Behave in ways that are designed to shame, degrade, or otherwise cause emotional distress
to a child and the related behaviours.
In addition, it sound inappropriate when working with children, it is important to be aware
of potential risks and manage them. It is also important to take children to the employee's home,
particularly where they are expected to be alone. It is important to develop relationships with
children that are not exploitative or abusive, and to use language, make suggestions, or offer advice
that is inappropriate, offensive, or abusive. It is also essential to behave physically in an
inappropriate or sexually provocative manner, and to sleep in the same room, or bed, as a child
that the employee is working with. The following are some of the expected behaviours to observe
when working with children under 18 years old.
