Direct interventions set to end child labour in Northern Samar

By Mr Pepe Nebril, Provincial Coordinator for Northern Samar
ILO-International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour

More than 3,400 working children from over 2,100 households are found in Northern Samar. Figures were based on results of a 2010 baseline survey of the International Labour Organization (ILO) conducted in 21 municipalities by the Country Level Engagement and Assistance to Reduce Child Labour (CLEAR).

From these households, IPEC aims to withdraw more than 1,500 child labourers in hazardous work and over 1,000 children at-risk of becoming child labourers.

In Northern Samar, children are often found working in sectors such as informal sales, recycling or garbage collecting, transport and domestic work. What is even alarming is that 70 per cent of these children are not working under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

The Northern Samar Child Labor Committee together with local government officials and barangay council representatives discussed results of the household and educational profile of child labourers on 23-27 May 2011 in Calbayog City.

The Nortehanon Access Center (NAC), Sacred Heart Institute for Transformative Education (SHIFT) Foundation, Inc. and the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO) will serve as proponents and implementing agencies of the action programmes. In response, these implementing agencies have committed to provide funds as counterpart, an indication of their strong commitment and support to the fight against child labour.

A Memorandum of Agreement is set for signing on 15 September 2011 with the ILO Country Office, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office and other stakeholders of the IPEC project to put an end to child labour in Northern Samar.

Mr Cesar Giovanni Soledad

IPEC Programme Manager
ILO-International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
+63 2 580 9946 or 580 9900
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