Measures implemented to reduce child labour and exploitation

Child labour remains a scourge in South Africa and the Department of Labour and various non-governmental organisations are working to prevent exploitation of children by ruthless adults. Image: 2oceansvibe

"There has been significant expansion of measures to relieve household poverty, which is the main driver of child labour. Legislation to address child labour has been strengthened substantially," the department said ahead of the National Day against Child Labour.

The department will on 22 August host the fourth National Day against Child Labour to put the spotlight on child labour and abuse of children in the workplace.

The day will be commemorated at Robert Gunda Stadium in Upington, Northern Cape, under the theme "Let me be a child".

The theme is derived from children's right to education, playing and doing the things children must do to enhance their mental, physical and emotional well-being.

South Africa has developed a road-map towards the prevention, reduction and eventual elimination of child labour called the Child Labour Programme of Action (CLPA), which was first adopted in 2003 after extensive consultation within government and other organisations.

Key elements of the CLPA

The key elements of the CLPA are:

• Targeting the implementation of government and other stakeholders' programmes and policies on poverty, employment, labour and social matters more effectively in areas where the work children do has serious negative effects on them;
• Promoting new legislative measures against Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL);
• Strengthening of national capacity to enforce legislative measures;

• Increasing public awareness and social mobilisation against WFCL.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a majority of countries have adopted legislation to prohibit or place severe restrictions on the employment of children.

However, in spite of these efforts, child labour continues to exist on a huge scale who work in appalling conditions in the developing world.

The organisation cautions that if progress has been slow or non-existent, this is because child labour is an immensely complex issue.

In May 2010, South Africa became a signatory to the ILO Roadmap towards the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour by 2016. The convention seeks to focus the international spotlight on the elimination of all child labour.

The Children's Act, as amended in 2007, deals explicitly with child trafficking, children used by adults to commit crimes and the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

It also reinforces the provisions on forced labour within the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.