The Cambodian government must do more to help more than 1.4 million of the country's

children estimated to be working, many for 50 cents a day or less, the World Bank

said in a report released February 7. The bank said that although rates had probably

improved on 2001 estimates of 52 per cent of seven to 14 year olds already at work,

the number was still too high and urgent action was needed. It said children active

in the labour sector had a drastic effect on school enrolment and school performance,

and that could have negative impacts on the economy for years to come if the trend

was not reversed.