Fed Govt launches national policy on child labour

Fed Govt

The Federal Government has launched a National Policy on Child Labour and established a national action plan on child labour.

The policy, which will run until 2017, is expected to check the spate of child labour.

Labour and Productivity Minister Emeka Wogu launched the policy yesterday in Abuja.

He said the policy, which was approved last year by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), showed the government’s determination to eliminate child labour and provide the Nigerian child a future to be proud of.

The minister explained that the government, through the ministry, had demonstrated its commitment to the elimination of child labour.

According to him, the government, through the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P), had demonstrated its commitment to tackling the socio-economic factors.

Wogu said: “The massive employment of youth and women through the Community Services Women and Youth Empowerment (CSWYE) scheme of the SURE-P has reduced drastically the high level of poverty in rural communities in Nigeria where child labour strives most.

“The CSWYE programme is a critical strategy for fighting poverty, especially rural poverty, which has fuelled child labour and child trafficking in the country.

“The national policy and national action plan on child labour document came through a consultative process of stakeholders’ participation and inputs. I, therefore, have no doubt that we will bring the same passion and commitment in its implementation.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that the approval of the National Policy and National Action Plan, last year, by the Federal Executive Council, has set the stage for effective collaboration and implementation of child labour interventions across the country.

“The policy will help every stakeholder to operate in its area of comparative advantage. It will also facilitate the building of synergy, effective coordination and eliminate duplication of interventions by MDAs.”

The Director, Country Office of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Ms Sina Chuma-Mkandawire said the policy marked an important milestone in the fight against the worst forms of child labour in Nigeria.

She urged Nigerians not to relent in the efforts to eliminate child labour.

According to her, the fact that Nigeria had ratified the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on Worst Forms of Child Labour “leaves me with no doubt that we have gained the necessary momentum and commitment for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour”.