Latin America and Caribbean countries pledge to end child labor
The meeting discussed ways to achieve the goals set in the 2010 Hague Conference, aimed at eradicating the worst forms of child labor by 2016 and eliminating it altogether by 2020
Representatives from 25 countries have signed a Declaration Constituting the Regional Initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour. In the document, signed Tuesday (Oct. 14), they agree to step up controls, pursue integrated public policies, and enhance relevant legislation in order to hasten eradication of child labor.
Gathered at the 18th American Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organization (ILO), in Lima, Peru, they discussed ways to achieve the goals set in the 2010 Hague Conference, aimed at eradicating the worst forms of child labor by 2016 and eliminating it altogether by 2020.
The declaration was signed by Brazil, Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Peru, Mexico, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Laís Abramo, ILO director in Brazil, was at the meeting. She told Agência Brasil that “Latin America stands out for its commitment to eradicate child labor, but the problem is still very serious.” According to the ILO, 12.5 million Latin American children and adolescents aged between 5 and 17 currently work – 9.5 million of them in dangerous conditions.
According to Abramo, addressing this issue would require such policies as expanding compulsory schooling and providing full-time education and income transfer to the poor. Moreover, she believes that the “hard core of child labor” must be identified through more accurate figures on working children.
The document establishes international cooperation as the basis for the proposed efforts. In this regard, Abramo pointed out that Brazil has provided an inspiring model for other countries in America by allowing the civil society to play a more active role in monitoring and acting upon the issue.
According to the ILO, the number of boys and girls aged between 5 and 17 who work in Brazil has dropped 58% over the past 20 years.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Latin America and Caribbean countries pledge to end child labor
