A new study published in Child Protection and Practice, led by Population Council and funded by The Freedom Fund, reveals troubling wage practices among child domestic workers in Addis Ababa. While most children receive wages directly, nearly one-third have their pay withheld or sent to family members. Younger children and those without a written contract are most at risk, and formal contracts were linked to a lower chance of wage withholding.
Millions of children work behind closed doors as domestic workers, often without oversight. This study is one of the few to investigate how, and if, these children get paid. It shows that basic protections, like contracts, can make a big difference. With clear links between age, family involvement, and wage abuse, the research highlights the urgent need for stronger legal safeguards.
For more, read the full paper in Child Protection and Practice.
