Ties That Bind: Child Labor in the Afghan Carpet Sector

The Afghan carpet sector is fertile territory for child labor. Strong economic incentives and
underlying social practices induce households to use child labor for carpet weaving, and while the practice is widespread, it has thus far failed to command the full attention of policymakers in Afghanistan. Working up to 36 hours a week, children as young as 6-years old are involved in carpet weaving. The situation is critical – over half of all surveyed weaving households use children under the age of 17 to weave carpets, and 35% use children under the age of 14.

This study is among the first to document and inform policy and action to address child labour in the Afghan carpet sector, through an analysis of child labour in the carpet weaving value chain.