The Federal Government called for an effective collaboration of market authorities in the country in the fight against the growing cases of forced/ child labour.
The permanent secretary, federal ministry of labour and employment, William Alo, made the call at a rally organised by the ministry in Abuja to create awareness against child labour in Nigeria.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), child labour constitutes any work done that deprives children of their childhood, their potentials and dignity, and that is harmful to their physical, moral and mental development, such as hawking, among others.These are, however, common place in Nigeria.
But Alo is of the opinion that market authorities could fight child labour by disallowing child labour in the markets and taking practical steps to ensure that children are in school or attend vocational training.
He also encouraged market authorities to report incidences of child labour to the ministry for necessary action.
He said even if children had to be in market places assisting their parents/guardians, they should not be denied basic education.
Speaking also, Abubakar Muazu, the permanent secretary, ministry of mines and steel development, harped on the need for the adequate development of a child saying this should be the priority of any country, because children constituted the future of a people.
He encouraged stakeholders to accord the necessary importance and attention to the issues of child labour.
In his contribution, Mohammed Bello permanent secretary, ministry of agriculture and rural development, condemned child labour, and called for proper legislation against it in Nigeria.
Dennis Zulu, country director of the International Labour Organisation, (ILO) identified poverty as the primary cause of child labour.
He said a lot could be done to ensure that children are not subjected to child labour. “We need to ensure that our children go to school and have the opportunity to play and enjoy themselves as children and this cannot be achieved if they are involved in child labour”, Zulu said.
JOSHUA BASSEY
