PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Friday, June 12th, 2009 – “Today, 12th June 2009 - the World celebrates the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the landmark convention, “The Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention 1999.”
This convention was adopted unanimously ten years ago, and quickly became the convention most widely ratified. It became one of the fundamental rights conventions and was added to the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
The General Assembly of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) listed among these ‘worst forms of child labour’: all forms of slavery, bondage and compulsory labour including recruitment of children for use in armed conflict; the use or offering of a child for prostitution, the production of pornography or for pornographic performances; offering a child for illicit activities in particular the production and trafficking of drugs; and work which, by its nature or the way it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.
International standards set the minimum age for employment at 15 and in special cases 14 - normally coinciding with the age of compulsory schooling. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, the minimum age for entrance into employment is 16. However, no children under age 18 should be involved in work listed above as one of the worst forms of child labour.
This year, the world focus is on an estimated 100 million girls who are involved in child labour. These girls deserve a chance! Large numbers of young girls frequently work in dangerous conditions, hidden from the public eye, leading to particular dangers and risks.
The girl-child face multiple disadvantages, as they usually take on more unpaid work as part of the household than boys; girls often combine this work with some form of economic activity outside the home; and this can have a negative impact on their schooling which in turn puts them in danger later as adults.
Education for a child represents the first step towards ‘decent work,’ which is the only approved way out of poverty. So let’s give children a chance: a chance to be children, a chance to healthy development, and a chance to acquire a good education!
The World Day Against Child Labour gives us an opportunity to promote awareness and call for action to combat the problem. Please join us and, by your daily actions, lend voice and support to promoting the rights of girls. Stop child labour: Give girls a chance!”
Hon Karen Delancy
Minister of Home Affairs and Human Services
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