As the country prepares to mark National Labour Day on Monday, Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant is set to bring illegal child labour practices to the nation’s attention.
The main event, to be held in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, will build on the minister’s campaign to support the International Labour Organisation’s efforts to end the practice and call for decisive action by governments and stakeholders around the world.
Oliphant has fingered the agriculture sector as the largest culprit involved in child labour practices, where most underage children work as unpaid family members.
“Child labour is a scourge that cries out to heaven for decisive action by all roleplayers in the labour market and the world over,” said Oliphant.
According to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, it is a criminal offence to employ a child younger than 15 years, except in the performing arts with a permit from the department.
Children aged 15 to 18 may not be employed to do work inappropriate for their age, or work that places them at risk.
The Act further states that any work performed by a child should not be exploitative, hazardous or otherwise inappropriate for the child’s age, detrimental to the child’s schooling or to the child’s social, physical, mental, spiritual or moral development.
About 200 school children, aged between 10 and 14, and key stakeholders in the child protection fraternity are expected to attend the event, where Oliphant will deliver her address. – BuaNews
Alan Straton
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Hypothetically speaking, from a child headed households perspective, how do the children survive? Say Mom and Dad are sick or perhaps even passed on, there is a 14 year old, 8 year old and a 6 year old. The 14 year old takes on the responsibility to support the family, grants don’t cover the shortfall to clothe, feed, educate and sustain the family. The child is then desperate so what does he /she do – turn to crime? There is a MASSIVE need in this country caused by absolute desperation. By making it illegal for a 14 year old to find some sort of employment is grossly unfair unless this country is able to assure these kids, that they will be provided with enough funds to support their needy families.
Don’t get me wrong, I do not believe in abusing children or forcing them to perform indecent acts, but I do believe that the children need a very strong support structure in order to allow them to cope with their individual situations – do we have enough Social Workers in this country to ensure that no child suffers?