Hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work that deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating their rights. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as working in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.
Amid growing concerns over the impact of the economic downturn, the International Labour Office (ILO) has warned that efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour are slowing down and called for a “re-energised” global campaign to end the practice.
In its Global Report on child labour, the ILO has said that the global number of child labourers had declined from 222 million to 215 million, or by 3 %, over the period 2004 to 2008, representing a “slowing down of the global pace of reduction.” The report also expressed concern that the global economic crisis could “further brake” progress toward the goal of eliminating the worst forms of child labour by 2016.
The new ILO global report, entitled Accelerating action against child labour, presents detailed estimates. Progress was greatest among children aged 5-14, where the number of child labourers fell by 10 per cent. Child labour among girls decreased by 15 %. However, it increased among boys (by 8 million or 7 %). What’s more, child labour among young people aged 15 to 17 increased by 20 %, from 52 million to 62 million.
Further to the discussion of the Global Report at the International Labour Conference in June, the Governing Body in November 2010 endorsed the Global Plan of Action for achieving the elimination of the worst forms of child labour by 2016.
I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Northern Cape Government, and in particular the Social Justice Cluster, under the leadership of the Social Development Department to a comprehensive program to ensure that children of our province and country grow up secure in family life, enjoying all the rights and privileges they deserve. We furthermore recommit ourselves to the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child.
The South African Government's approach to the question of children's social and political rights derives from the basic principle that to value our children is to value our future.
The law says that children are vulnerable and therefore need to be protected, even in situations where the child decides to work for a living. Children often have to go to work because they need to raise money for themselves and even their families. When children have to work it puts their own education, social development and well-being (emotionally, physically, mentally, morally or spiritually) at risk. Adults often take advantage of these children and, because of this, special laws have been made to deal with the protection of children who work.
Child labour is where a child is taken advantage of or is in danger when doing a job. A child may also be too young or undeveloped for a certain type of work. The Act says that no one may use a child for slavery, sex, trafficking or a crime.
These different terms are explained in the Act. For example, slavery refers to a situation where a child is forced to do work against his or her will. This does not include normal household chores. Sex means that a child cannot be used to perform any sexual activities like prostitution or pornography and trafficking refers to the selling or transporting of children by force in order to make money. We all know what the word crime means and in the Act it says that a child cannot be used to help commit a crime. It is even wrong for a person to try to get a child to commit a crime.
When a person sees a child being used in the workplace, they must immediately report the child’s circumstances to a social worker or social services professional. The Department of Labour will then investigate the case.
There are laws that deal with the protection of people at work and this law also says that a child under the age of 15 years may not be forced to be employed and may not do any work that is dangerous.
Let us join hands with the International Community in bringing to an end the abuse of our children, let us stop child labour!!!
