Education Not Exploitation for children around the world
As child labour continues to deprive children of education, the United States of America made a commitment that it will continue to push for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor around the world.
In his remarks in Washington DC, US Department Spokesperson John Kirby said the US State Department will use its available tools to combat the surge of child labor through bilateral and multilateral engagement, technical assistance, reporting, and good offices, though the solution to this challenge ultimately lies in decent work for families, respect for fundamental human rights, and supporting classrooms around the world.
“Today, we renew our commitment to civil society and our global partners to stand with you in the defense of the most vulnerable.” – Mr. Kirby
In addition, American diplomats around the world advocate for basic human rights, and champions from civil society change people’s understanding of what children have the right to expect from the world around them.
US Promotes Education Not Exploitation
The United States believes that education can be an answer to counter child labour where children will be sent to schoolhouses instead to factories and mills.
“Educated children are the foundation of a just society.” – Mr. Kirby
Progress On Combating Child Labour
According to Mr. Kirby, there is a growing consensus and commitment to ending exploitative child labor around the world.
“More children are in schools today than ever before.” – Mr. Kirby
Now, the international community also understands that moving children from the workforce to the schoolhouse is a better way to build thriving societies that respect basic human dignity.
In addition, the enduring commitment of some civil society has made a difference in countering the plague of child labor.
“We celebrate our partners in civil society who have so bravely championed the mission to end child labor.” – Mr. Kirby
In fact, in 2014 the Nobel Committee highlighted the importance of combating child labor by awarding the Peace Prize to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai for their efforts to end the exploitation of children and to bring education to all children regardless of class or gender.
Child Labor Still Torments The World Today
According to the International Labour Organization estimates that 120 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are still involved in child labor.
ILO reported that although the overall number of children aged 5 to 17 in hazardous work declined between 2004 and 2008, child workers in the 15-to-17 age bracket rose by 20 per cent during the same period, from 52 million to 62 million.
The ILO Global Report on child labour warned in 2010 that efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour were slowing down and expressed concern that the global economic crisis could halt progress toward the goal of eliminating the worst forms of child labour by 2016.
The study noted that the problem of children in hazardous work is not confined to developing countries. Evidence from the United States and Europe also shows the high vulnerability of youth to workplace accidents.
The ILO report concluded that while there is a need to strengthen workplace safety and health for all workers, specific safeguards for adolescents between the minimum age of employment and the age of 18 are needed.
The measures need to be part of a comprehensive approach in which employer and worker organizations and labour departments have particularly critical role to play.
However, ILO pointed out that throughout the world, girls continue to be disadvantaged in many ways, including through discrimination, limited access to schooling, and traditional roles that still relegate certain forms of work to girls.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that approximately 100 million girls throughout the world are child laborers, often working in hazardous and exploitative conditions.
