Government rethinks strategy against child labour

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have organised a workshop to reinforce strategies in the fight against child labour in Cameroon.

The workshop that began this 8th to end on 10th April 2015 in Yaounde is being attended by Members of the National Committee for the Fight against Child Labour.

During the meeting, the organisers will update the Committee with new techniques in the fight against child labour. The Committee, based on the information, shall propose a road map to be later adopted by government.

While opening the session, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona said Cameroon being a signatory of Horizon 2017 has the obligation to fight against the phenomenon.

The Minister reminded the Committee of the need to carry out concrete actions on the field and not resort to proposals and recommendations.

According to the 2010 data published by the National Institute of Statistics 27.9 per cent of children aged 5 – 17 are still involved in dehumanising activities, 4.4 per cent engaged in dangerous jobs and 71 per cent exploited in sectors such as fishing, hunting and agriculture, especially in the rural zones.

Noteworthy is that the National Committee for the Fight against Child Labour was created in August 2014 by a Prime Ministerial text. The committee was assigned the task of elaborating a national plan of action for the elimination of worst forms of child labour.

Child labour includes all forms of enslavement and forceful labour harmful to the physical and mental health of children.