Santiago, Jul 1 (IANS/EFE): Chile's government said 229,000 children perform some type of economic activity in the country and 219,000 work illegally, many in jobs considered dangerous.

Most child labourers in Chile work in the retail sector (some 86,000), agriculture (roughly 40,000) and construction (19,000), according to the National Survey on the Activities of Boys, Girls and Adolescents, which was conducted in 2012 and released last week.

"This is the first time a survey of this type has been carried out ... We now have a snapshot from which the government will be able to design public policies for combating and eradicating child labour," Social Development Minister Bruno Baranda said during the presentation of the study.

The survey showed that 125,000 children and adolescents perform different work regarded as dangerous, including operating machinery, carrying heavy materials, using agrochemicals and working at heights.

Baranda said 50 percent of young people involved in prohibited work in Chile live in vulnerable sectors or households.