Ten years ago the International Labour Organisation’s Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour came into force. Millions of child labourers have had their lives improved because of the Convention. However, many children are still trapped in slavery, trafficking, forced labour and armed conflict. The International Labour Organisation has set itself the target of getting rid of the worst forms of child labour by 2016.

Mina's story:

Although child labour is illegal in Egypt, the practice continues. Families in the region of El Minia who are short of cash send their boys to the quarries, either instead of school, or at weekends and in the holidays.

Mina started working in the stone quarries when he was only 13. He would get up at 5am to go to work, and would work until 6pm.

“My task was to follow behind the stone cutting machines and remove the bricks that had been cut. It used to make my back hurt, and was very tiring. I also used to help with the electrics. You can get an electric shock from them because there’s no rubber casing on the cables.”

Mina wanted to return to school, so that he wouldn’t have to work in the quarry all of his life, but had missed a lot already so he didn’t think he could.

Christian Aid partner Wadi el Nil helped get Mina back into school. Mina has now been back in school about a year and really enjoys leaning. He is studying very hard so that he can become an engineer.

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