AKALEWOLD FEDILU MOHAMMED2026-01-272014-10https://etd.hu.edu.et/handle/123456789/270This study was conducted in Hawassa City Administration with the main objective of assessing the causes and consequences of child labor on children who are engaged in solid waste management activities in the city. To accomplish its objective, the study employed a survey method, which is supplemented by qualitative research to enrich the data. Then 105 child solid waste management workers were selected by using purposive sampling technique. Questionnaire was the main instrument of data collection. Focus group discussion, key informant interview, observation and case studies were also utilized to substantiate the data gained through the questionnaire. The quantitative data was analyzed using technique like frequencies, percentage, mean and cross tabulation. The qualitative data obtained through focus group discussion, key informant interview, personal observation and case studies were analyzed by using narration. The results of the study revealed that poverty (inabilities of parents or guardians to fulfill things important for their children), aspiration of children to support their parents and to become economically independent from their family were played a crucial role in the overall involvement of children in solid waste management activities. Furthermore, the study depicted that low occupational and educational status of parents, attitude of parents on the contribution of their children for survival, large family size, peer pressure and rural – urban migration pushed the child to work in solid waste management activities in the study area. On the other hand, the study findings clearly indicate that common cold, diarrhea, stomach ache, head ach, pneumonia, abrasion or scratch, eye irritation and malaria were the most prominent health problems faced by the working children and body cut and puncture were the most prominent physical injuries. The study finding was also indicated that the working children were victims of physical and emotional abuses. Finally some important recommendations have been raised as a solution to reduce the problem faced by child solid waste management workers in the study area.Child LaborSolid Waste ManagementWorking ChildrenHawassa CityThesis