End Child Labour: FMLE, ILO and other Stakeholders advocate for Ondo State Children
11 June 2024
The Deji of Akure, Odundun II, pledged to support efforts by ILO and partners to combat child labour as the State Steering Committee on the Elimination of Child Labour observed the World Day Against Child Labour
Akure, Nigeria: In commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour 2024, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment(FMLE) in collaboration with the US Department of Labour (US-DOL) funded Action Against Child Labour in Agriculture in West Africa(ACLAWA) and Global Accelerator Lab Project: Intensifying Action Against Forced Labor and Child Labor (GALAB) projects, Save the children international’s Future for Every Child (FuFEC) project, and the Lutheran World Relief’s Child Labour Education and Resilience (CLEAR) project.
The World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) is an International Labour Organization (ILO)-observation. It aims to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour. The day, observed annually on June 12, fosters a global movement against child labour. Child labour deprives millions of children of education, health, and basic freedoms, violating their rights. The WDACL serves as a catalyst for change, urging governments, civil society, and organizations to address this critical issue and eliminate child labour.
Starting at the Oba Adesida market, stakeholders including the cocoa farmers association of Nigeria, Ondo state coordinating office, FUTA and NGOs acting in the space, gathered to create awareness before heading to the Deji of Akure’s palace and the State Government house.
At the place of the Deji, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, pledged to support efforts to combat child labour.
I will inform my chiefs to report anyone hiring minors so we can take them to the appropriate authorities.
Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II
The 2024 theme for the world day against child labour is “Let’s Act on our Commitments: End Child Labour”! It urges us to take collective actions against child Labour. According to the National Bureau of Statistics Child Labour survey 2022, more than 30% of children in Ondo state are involved in child labour. Stakeholders are taking this opportunity to remind all actors to improve their implementation of the two fundamental ILO Conventions on child labour – ILO Convention No. 182 and ILO Convention No. 138 for Minimum Age for Admission to Employment or Work (1973)
In her interview, Dr Vanessa Phala – the Director of the ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, represented by Dr Agatha Kolawole – the national project manager of the ILO ACLAWA project highlighted that the advocacy walk brought to light the adverse effect of child labour. She stated that child labour deprived children of the opportunity to be equipped with the necessary skills for the future while exposing them to health and security risk.
She stated that while children may support their families and build their social skills, they should not be allowed to undertake unacceptable form of work which is dangerous to the child and won’t help the development of the child.
Olawale Awoyemi, Deputy Chief of Party, Lutheran World Relief stated that his organization was working to create awareness and advocacy amongst local stakeholders towards the elimination of child labour and its negative effects.
Similarly, Programme Manager Save The Children International said that
Child labour has bad influence in our society.
Richard Nzomisaki
He stated that his organization was willing and ready to support the government and the international organization towards eliminating child labour.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, International Labour Organization and Save the children International continue to demonstrate commitment to support the Ondo State Government to eliminate child labour. This activity was made possible with the financial support of the United State Department of Labour
Child Labour? Away!