DURBAN - International Labour Organization (ILO) director-general Guy Ryder says the fight to eliminate child labour has been characterised by a “go back to go forward” approach.
Ryder was speaking at the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour yesterday, held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Conference Centre (ICC) in Durban.
“My impression over the last 20 years is that we got a little bit complacent. We were making really good progress until the last 10 years. Things have started to slow down. We stopped making child labour and its elimination a key policy objective – nationally and internationally. We talk a lot about child labour and have a lot of programmes against child labour. We need a political push against this campaign.
“We have the global architecture. Nationally we also have commitments and thirdly, we need to bring in all the stakeholders. We need to bring in the global elements and the national elements into the mix to regain the momentum quickly – which has somewhat dissipated. Let us not be distracted by the very real broad challenges in the labour market, such as youth unemployment and others. Let us make sure that child labour features in all the approaches – explicitly,” Ryder said.
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi told delegates during a high-level panel discussion that the fight against child labour was about social justice, creating a prosperous future, and hope for the children.
Nxesi said South Africa as a long-standing member of the ILO had always stood for global social justice.
“In South Africa we also share the vision of the ILO and that of its member states, that of transforming the labour market and developing a decent world of work,” Nxesi said.
“South Africa takes the issue of child labour very seriously. The country subscribes to the centenary declaration on the future of work that is premised on a human-centred approach. The conference gives us an opportunity to show our commitment to eliminating child labour,” Nxesi said.
The conference ends on Friday.
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