Union calls for urgency over new laws to end child labour

Union calls for urgency over new laws to end child labour

After receiving notification of what appears to be several child labour cases in Apia, Samoa First Union is reminding parents and employers that child labour is unethical and can even be illegal under local and international law.

“In its first three weeks Samoa First Union has been notified of what appear to be a number of unreported cases of child labour,” says Samoa First Union co-ordinator Jerome Mika.

“Child labour is unacceptable. Samoa has ratified international conventions against child labour, the government has also made progress in domestic legislation. For example, children under 15 years are not permitted to work during school hours.”

“The apparent child labour cases we are aware of involve children working as street vendors in the early hours of Sunday morning. This is a time when children should be asleep and fresh for church later in the morning,” says Mika.

“The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour needs to ensure that the problem is monitored and offenders are prosecuted. The government must also give urgency to its new bill which will crack down on the issue of child labour”

“Children can still work, but there need to be clear guidelines around things like hours. The interests of children have to be put first,” says Mika.

ENDS

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