FG Renew Commitment to Protection of Child Labour Rights

Paul Obi in Abuja

The federal government on Monday renewed its commitment to the protection of child labour rights in a move to ratify the implementation of international conventions.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, stated this in Abuja during the occasion marking the 2016 World Day against Child Labour.

He observed that renewing the commitment will help fast-track the administration’s quest to consolidate the promotion of internationally recognized acts and conventions that prohibit the engagement of children in hard labour and other slavery activities.

He said: “I want to use this opportunity to express and renew our commitment to promoting internationally recognized Child Labour Rights, Conventions and Protocols adopted and ratified for the elimination of child labour, enforcement of minimum age at work and promotion of the African Charter on Rights of the Child.”

Further, the minister emphasized that child labour is a socio-economic challenge affecting not only Nigeria and African region but the entire world.

He therefore called on all stakeholders to join the Federal Government in mobilizing support for the ratified ILO Conventions No. 138 on Minimum Age for Employment, and No. 182 on Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, including the implementation of National Policy on Child Labour, National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour in Nigeria and List of Hazardous Child Labour in Nigeria.

Speaking, Country Director of International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr Dennis Zulu, represented by Mrs. Agatha Kolawole, stated that ILO, through its International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour, will continue to support the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria with increased focus on policy support and technical advisory services.