As thousands of people across the world celebrate the International Day against Child Labour on June 12, a child protection expert, Mr. Olakunle Sanni has called for social welfare packages for less privileged families in an effort to end poverty and other poor value systems in the society.
Mr. Saani, who gave the advice while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the occasion of World Day against Child Labour, stressed the need for stakeholders to re-emphasize all laws prohibiting child labour.
According to Mr. Olakunle Sanni, child labour is work done whether paid or unpaid that affects the well-being, safety, education, and entire progress or development of a child.
The child protection expert highlighted the causes of child labor to include crises in the society, domestic violence which sometimes leads to separation, and female gender-biased related issues.
Mr. Olakunle called for the provision of free education, and medical facilities for all children while government must enact laws and punishment not only for parents but anybody who engages children in child labor.
A secondary school teacher, Miss Funto Ojibutu, who frowned against child labor, said children affected are always at their lowest ebb during school hours.
Another teacher, Mr. Eke Clement believed that all children deserve the right to proper education and not to be seen hawking after school hours because they need to rest, eat and study their books.
A child, who sells pepper at Adigbe Market, said she hawks exactly 30 minutes after school hour to help her parent and support the family’s income
A father of two, Mr. John Bassey who shared his experience as a child hawker, lamented that it was not the best experience for a child.
The theme for this year’s celebration is Universal Social Protection to end Child Labour.
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Ayomide Olorunfemi
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