Deputy Minister of Labour Inkosi Phathekile Holomisa speaks at the commemoration of National Day Against Child Labour in Ladysmith this Friday.
The policy goal towards eliminating child labour and achieving an end to exploitation of children in the workplace will be put under the spotlight when Deputy Minister of Labour, Inkosi Phathekile Holomisa host the National Day Against Child Labour in Ladysmith Kwazulu Natal this coming Friday.
The National Day Against Child Labour is commemorated in South Africa to highlight the illegal practice of child labour and the campaign to end the exploitation of children. The theme for this year’s Anti Child Labour Day is “let me be the child”.
This exploitation of children has denied them their rights to education, to enjoy childhood activities and various other necessary child and youthful activities. Already, the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s most recent estimate is that 168 million children are in child labour throughout the world. One hundred and twenty million of them aged between 5 and 14. The report underscores the critical importance of intervening early in the life cycle against child labour.
In South Africa government has said in the interests of protecting children, employing anyone under the age of 15 is illegal, except for children in the performing arts if one has a permit from the Department. Children aged 15 to 18 may not be employed to do inappropriate work. It is a criminal offence to employ a child under the age of 15 as per the Basic Condition of employment Act.
Labour department will commemorate this National Campaign Against Child Labour in Ladysmith this year. Journalists are invited to this event. It will be held as follows:
Venue: AG Magubane Stadium in Ladysmith KZN
Date: Friday, 28 August 2015)
Time: 10h00
Enquiries:
Sithembele Tshwete
Cell: 071 675 9849
Tel: 012 392 9625
E-mail: Sithembele.tshwete@labour.gov.za
