UN details slavelike child labor

More troubling was that employing children as domestic servants is accepted or tolerated in many places, said June Kane, author of the 112-page study.

"Sadly, many countries don't see domestic child labor as a problem," she said.

The report found South Africa had the highest number of children working as servants, 2 million. Other countries with high numbers of working children were Indonesia, 700,000; Brazil, 559,000; and Pakistan, 264,000.

When they are considered too old, many are kicked out by their employers but end up living on the streets, because they have no idea how, or where, to find their families.

Putting children to work is often considered an alternative for poor families who cannot afford to feed them, the study reported. Parents rarely receive money from their children's labors.

Domestic service also is seen as preparation for marriage for girls, and employers are often viewed as benefactors, the study said. Increasing numbers of AIDS orphans and the traditionally low status of women and girls in many countries also push children into domestic labor.

Human Rights Watch said it had found similar problems.

"Child domestic workers around the world endure abuse as well as exploitation," said Jo Becker, head of the US-based group's campaign for youngsters.

The International Labor Organization estimates about 246 million children worldwide have jobs that take up all or most of the time they could spend in school. Of that number, nearly half are involved in what the agency calls the "worst forms of child labor" -- prostitution, mining, and slave labor in different industries.