Department of Labour places spotlight on the protection of children on National Day Against Child Labour
The illegal practice of Child Labour will be put on the spotlight when Labour Deputy Minister, iNkosi Phathekile Holomisa delivers a keynote address at the Child Labour Day commemorative event at the Cullinan Community Sports Ground on the 22nd of July.
The theme for this event is: “Let me be the child”. This theme is derived from the child’s right to education, playing and doing the things children must do to enhance their mental, physical and emotional well-being.
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) makes it a criminal offence to employ a child under the age of 15 years or under the minimum school-leaving age. Chapter six of the BCEA explicitly deals with prohibition of employment of children and forced labour.
Children have a right to be protected from work that is exploitative, hazardous, inappropriate for their age, detrimental to their schooling, or detrimental to their social, physical, mental, spiritual, or moral development.
The law prohibits children under age to be employed to do work inappropriate for their age or work that places them at risk.
This year’s commemoration will start at 9h30.
Media is invited to attend the National Day against Child Labour event.
Venue: Cullinan Community Sports Ground
Time: 9h30
When: 22 July 2016
For more information consult:
Mishack Magakwe
Tel: 012 309 5136
Cell: 082 908 1828
E-mail: Mishack.magakwe@labour.gov.za
