Marking the World Day against Child Labour 2017 in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam (ILO News) The project “Achieving Reduction of child labour in Support of Education ARISE II” in Tanzania targeted at eliminating Child Labour in tobacco growing communities in started in mid - 2016. It is financed by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and executed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Winrock International. The project has already established child protection teams both at district and ward levels and has facilitated the development of child labour action plans for Uyui and Urambo districts.

During the course of project implementation it has been noted that there is inadequate awareness on child labour issues at district and community levels, thereby a critical need for collecting, documenting and sharing good practices on the subject so as to support evidence-based policy making and implementation.

Taking this into account, the ILO through the project, ARISE II), in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office – Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour, Employment, Youth and people with disabilities, organised a one day workshop to mark the World Day against Child Labour (WDACL) on 22 June 2017 in Tabora, Tanzania.

The workshop which was officiated by Hon. Aggrey Mwanri, Regional Commissioner for Tabora was aimed at gathering good practices and experiences on child labour elimination with focus on the agriculture sector.

The Regional Commissioner in his opening remarks, underscored the importance of the Day, marked globally since 2002 and emphasized that

“…the day reminds all of us on the rights of the child, sending them to school, avoiding subjecting them into hazardous and worst forms of child labour including – in tobacco farming, mining, cattle raring and domestic work…”.

He further noted that Tanzania has already ratified the two (2) major conventions on child labour i.e. Nos. 138 (1973) and 182 (1999), demonstrating the commitment of the Government of Tanzania to the elimination of child labour. These have been domesticated into national laws and legislation, namely; the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2004 and Child Act No. 21 (2009), which, among others, prohibits subjecting children into the worst forms of child labour. He further called upon all stakeholders including government institutions, tobacco companies, families, the community etc. especially in Tabora region to ensure that combating child labour becomes a priority intervention in all sectors of the economy.

“… We have to work together to intensify and accelerate action to end the problem in the region which deprives children of their childhood rights, right to education, harmful to their health, moral and mental development…” he said.

He expressed great concern about children who are denied these rights and thus called upon all officials concerned in the region to ensure that no children are employed in the tobacco farms and burners, and all other areas mentioned above.

On her part, Dr. Mary Kawar, Director for ILO East Africa Country office in Dar es Salaam, in her remarks which were read on her behalf by Dr. Gerson Nyadzi, National Project Coordinator, ARISE project, commended the Government and other stakeholders for efforts being put todate in combating child labour in the country. However she noted that,

“… Todate, according to the Integrated Labour Force Survey, 2014, it is estimated that there are about 4.2 m. children (5 – 17 years) trapped in child labour, including in agriculture, domestic work, fishing, and mining industries, compared to 264 m. globally…these are denied of their childhood, deprived of their right to education, which is detrimental to their’s and the nation’s future…”

Dr. Kawar further reminded participants on the Sustainable Development Goal 8 on Decent work, specifically, target 8.7 which calls upon the global community to eradicate child labour by 2025; which is key also to poverty reduction.

The World Day Against Child Labour this year focused on the impact of conflicts and disasters on child labour as globally over 1.5 billion people live in countries that are affected by conflict, violence and fragility, with the theme, "In conflicts and disasters, protect children from child labour" . A significant proportion of the 168 million children engaged in child labour worldwide live in areas affected by conflict and disaster.

“Children in areas affected by conflict and disasters are among the most vulnerable. No child must be left behind.” says ILO Director-General , Guy Ryder in his statement for World Day Against Child Labour 2017.