| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of the study was to establish the working conditions of children involved in metal works in Katwe Parish, Makindye Division in Kampala. Specifically, the study sought to examine the working conditions of children involved in metal works in Katwe, to find out the hazards experienced by children involved in metal works in Katwe Parish, and to establish how child metal workers cope positively with the risks experienced at work in Katwe Parish. The study employed a purely qualitative approach, using in-depth interviews and key informant interviews. The participants included children aged 11-17 years who narrated their experiences and coping strategies at work, as well as the child employers who employ these children. The study found that many children worked in poor conditions, long hours with barely any breaks and extremely little pay. which put their lives at risk, created mental health disorders and could not make a living for themselves or their families. The findings also indicated that children were exposed to physical and psychological hazardous that affected their physical and mental well being which caused them harm including stress, depression, anxiety, burns and bruises. These included dangerous equipment, fires and explosions at work, loud grinding noise, back pain from lifting, heavy metals, inhaling welding fumes, electric shock, and mental stress from all the exhaustive monotonous tasks. They in turn handled these hazards both positively and negatively. Most of the children have adopted positive coping mechanisms through actively participating in sports during their leisure time which has improved their mental well being and improved their productivity at work. Though some took the negative route, indulging themselves in substance abuse as a way of coping with stress and life problems. The study therefore recommended that government should set minimum working conditions for child workers including minimum wages and working hours to protect them from exploitation and heavy work in poor conditions. The study also recommended on job training for the children on how to operate machinery and equipment as well cautions for dangerous machines and substances, providing food to the workers and availing the workers with first aid kits at the workplace to help with physical injuries. | en_US |
