17 April 2007
Road-shows aimed at raising awareness on child labour issues kicked off on a
high note in various provinces yesterday. Other than raising awareness the
campaign will also outline critical interventions or action steps by government
departments in their bid to curb the scourge. The campaign to expose the
scourge of child labour is happening in Cape Town, Polokwane and Kimberly. The
drive will be led by managers of the Department of Labour who will speak about
the extent and gravity of the problem in South Africa.
Zolisa Sigabi the departmental spokesperson said 36 percent of children aged
between five and 17 years did some form of economic activity exceeding three
hours in any given week. "This translates to 4,8 million children involved in
economic activity in South Africa and we find this unacceptable. We are also
worried to learn that about 1,7 million children do at least 12 hours economic
work per week," she said.
According to section 43 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), it
is illegal to employ a child below the age of 15 even if the child requests to
be employed. Sigabi said "the BCEA allows children between the ages of 15�17 to
work if there are protective mechanisms in place to ensure that the employer
safeguards health and safety requirements."
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
17 April 2007
