The World Day Against Child Labour is an international day to raise awareness and prompt action to stop child labour in all its forms. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) launched the first world Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to highlight the plight of children engaged in child labour. The day is observed on every 12th June, it is intended to serve as catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour. The theme for this year 2023 is “Social Justice for All. End Child Labour”.
The International Labour Organisation defines child Labour as “work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity and that is harmful to their physical and mental development. It is also important to note that the Child’s Right Act 2003 also extensively deals with the issue of prohibition of exploitative labour, in Section 28 (1) of the Child Right Act it was stated that no child shall be subjected to any forced or exploitative labour. Child Labour, especially its worst forms deprive children of their childhood and their education. It also increases their risks of serious hazards, illness, and exploitation.
The Labour Act 2004 (LFN) 2004 Cap L1 also deals with the issue of child Labour in Sections 58-63 of the Act. It is also important to re-echo the words of ILO that child labour is work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful to children as well as interferes with their schooling.
Article XV of the OAU Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child states that “Every child shall be protected from all forms of economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral, or social development.
In Nigeria, child labour is largely on the increase and poverty is the main driver of this menace. It has become endemic and exposes children to all forms of exploitation, child labour is breach of the human rights of the children. Child workers include street vendors, apprentice mechanic, carpenters, vulcaniser, tailor, and domestic servants.
Children in Nigeria are subjected to the worst forms of child labour, including in commercial sexual exploitation and use in armed conflict as well as quarrying granite and artisanal mining. Let me reiterate that the main legal framework available in Nigeria is the Child’s Right Act, 2003 and only 29 States out of the 36 States have adopted same. It is however disheartening to state that children are been trafficked in and out of Nigeria for forced labour and sex trafficking.
The consequences of child labour are severe and long lasting, it is physical as well as psychological in nature, children who are forced to work at a young age are denied the opportunity to receive education and develop the skills they need to succeed in life. The issue of child labour in Nigeria is a complex and faceted problem that requires a comprehensive and coordinated response. All hands must be on deck to eliminate child labour and the root cause must be critically addressed and support must be extended to families by all concerned
The government should invest more in education, improve working conditions for adults, enforcing the available legal framework that prohibit child labour, continued sensitisation and advocacy to end the scourge.
The time to rise and act is now to ensure that no child is forced to work in dangerous and exploitative conditions. Finally, let me reiterate that every child should have the opportunity to receive education and achieve their dreams. The future must be assured to protect the children against child labour.
Adefowoke Ayo-Ponle ©
Secretary, FIDA Lagos
Vice Chairman Candidate, NBA Lagos
