Friday, March 29, 2024

Government concerned with Child Labour

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Fisheries and livestock minister Micheal Katambo (right) with ZAMBEEF National Sales and Marketing Manager Mathews Ngosa (left) sampling eggs during a tour of the ZAMBEEF hatchery project in Mpongwe
THE Government has said it is concerned with the alarming cases of child labour in the country which, according to the 2014 labour statistics, indicate that more than 500,000 children are child workers.

Acting Labour and Social Security Minister Michael Katambo said the current statistics were worrying, and that there was need for concerted efforts to fight the scourge.
“There are over 595,000 child workers in various economic sectors. Of these, 58 per cent are 14 years or younger,” he said.

Mr Katambo said this in Lusaka yesterday at the commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour which was held under the theme ‘In conflict and disasters: Protect children from child labour’.

In addition, the 2012 labour force survey estimated the total number of children in Zambia were involved in child labour aged four to 14 years were about 1.2 million.

The minister said with such statistics, it was prudent for everyone to realise that the fight against child labour was a huge one, which needed concerted efforts, commitment and action by all stakeholders.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Stella Nyondo said child labour continued to hamper the development of children and of the country, hence the need for all stakeholders to join the fight to end the vice.

Ms Nyondo said the effort was imperative as children were an asset to communities, but also vulnerable to abuse by society.

International Labour Organisation (ILO) country director Alexio Musindo said about 1.63 million children worldwide were found in one form of labour, a situation that had a negative impact on future generations.

He said the fight against child labour was at his institution’s core objective as it weakened future prospects of a sustainable labour market.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission (HRC) vice-chairperson Kondwa Chibiya said it was important that the Government expedited the process of enacting the Children’s Code Bill into law.

Ms Chibiya said once enacted, the law would provide the basis for conducting an assessment for children during conflicts or natural disasters.

5 COMMENTS

  1. So this minister is quoting 2014 statistics ?

    As much as I think it is a worry this statement doesn’t send any alarms warnings whatsoever

    Thanks

    BB2014,2016

    • Indian traders at Kamwala Market are found of using small Zambian boys as young as 7 yrs old ( last time i checked) as shop slaves. They Zambian boys are also converted to Islam and have to wear muslim clothing

      FREEHHFREEHHFREEHH…

  2. If people cannot afford school fees for primary education, how do you expect them to survive? There’s a reason why primary Education is free in many countries because the consequences are greater. Poverty, childhood marriage, child labor, teen pregnancy, HIV AIDS etc., are all a result of children not going to school because they can’t afford the fees

  3. Mushota imwe muoneka muli ku period all the time. Your education counts nothing. You support Sata, Sata dies. Eeeh votes for Kabimba, Winter’s party fails to gain national support. Pweteete-pweteete vote for Sampa, he has the tenacity of Abraham Lincoln. Sampa goes into the bin where to now. Fopoo, I see Lungu as…for Zambia. Why displaying your ignorance in public? Remember, we follow your arguments but we don’t comment. Personally, I find you to be a woman not married, possibly a prostitute we and you are being kept maybe by your uncle. Totally irresponsible and not employed. If you are employed, how do you find it easy to reply to every to every nonsense at Lusakatimes and what time do you work? If you have a PhD, why do u fail to to give a good advise to your fellow bloggers…

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