Not all work that children do is considered child labour. Work that interferes with schooling or is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous is considered child labour.

Whether or not particular forms of "work" can be called "child labour" depends on the child's age, the type of work, country, sector and the working conditions.

Hazardous work is child labour. Children working in agriculture or manufacturing are often exposed to toxic chemicals and machinery that is difficult and dangerous to operate.

It is estimated that worldwide each year at least 22,000 child labourers die while at work; figures of work related injuries and illnesses are unknown.

In most of Asia Pacific, out of all detected human trafficking victims, 36 per cent are children and most are exploited for forced labour.

In most of Asia Pacific, the vast majority of children trafficked for forced labour are girls.

Parents facing economic difficulties sometimes send their children to find work and some fall prey to traffickers. Often these children never see their families again.

Factors increasing the risk of child trafficked include poverty, domestic or community violence, no access to education, discrimination, lack of social services , armed conflict or natural disasters.

Demand for cheap labour is one of the driving factors in trafficking of children for labour, as traffickers usually underpay and exploit the children they have forced into labour.

In the worst forms, children are beaten, burned, starved or violently abused. The threat of physical abuse is a form of psychological violence. Children also face a serious risk of sexual abuse.