ILO, Vatican warn against using children for hazardous work
Child
By Chinyere Bassey
Lagos, June 12, 2018 (NAN) As the world commemorates the 2018 World Day against Child Labour, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Vatican caution against the use of children under 18 years for hazardous work.
According to them, this goes against what is stipulated in the ILO’s Child Labour Convention as well as robs children of the joy of childhood.
The theme for 2018 `World Day against Child Labour is: “Generation Safe and Healthy’’.
This theme puts a spotlight on the global need to improve the safety and health of young children and end child labour.
It aims to accelerate action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of ending all forms of child labour by 2025.
The ILO defines child labour as, “Work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development.”
Mr Guy Ryder, ILO’s Director-General, said in a statement that children were more vulnerable to risks than adults and as such urgent action was needed to guard against hazardous labour for children.
According to Ryder, not less than 73 million children are in hazardous work and almost half of the 152 million children between five and seven years are still in child labour.
“These children are toiling in mines and fields, factories and homes, exposed to pesticides and other toxic substances, carrying heavy loads or working long hours.
“Many suffer lifelong physical and psychological consequences; their very lives can be at risk,’’ the ILO director general said.
He said that hazardous work was a priority in the wider ILO campaigns against child labour and for safe and healthy work for youths of legal working age.
He urged the various governments, ILO member states, to collaborate with social partners to establish and enforce a national list of hazardous works prohibited for children.
He added that ratification of these Conventions by 171 and 181 ILO member states respectively would reflect a commitment to end child labour in all its forms.
Also, Pope Francis in a tweet from twitter account @Pontifex admonished those who cut short the hope of the young ones.
“Children must be able to play, study and grow in a peaceful environment.
“Woe to anyone who stifles their joyful impulse to hope!,’’ the Pope warned in a post.
Earlier in 2013, he had said the exploitation of children in domestic work was “a true slavery”.
“All children must be able to play, study, pray and grow in their own families and this in a harmonious context of love and serenity.”
“A serene childhood allows children to look forward with confidence to life and the future,’’ the Pontiff had said. (NAN)
CHIN/ VIV/IFY
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Ify Omowole