Zimbabwe today joins the rest of the world in observing the World Day against Child Labour amid alarming statistics indicating that close to 50% of children between the ages of five and 17 years were involved in economic child labour.
By Phyllis Mbanje
Recent statistics in Zimbabwe show that many children were engaged in child labour.
The Zimstats 2014 Child Labour Report (March 2015) shows children below the age of 18 years make up close to 50% (6,6 million) of the total population in Zimbabwe. Of these children, 72% live in the rural areas and 55,05% of the children in economic child labour, live in households where the head earns between $1 and $100 per month.
The survey revealed that the majority of the children (92,1%) in economic child labour were never paid at all.
Several calls have been made by child-focused organisations to stakeholders to fight child labour.
In a statement, the Justice for Children said this could be achieved by ensuring that children enjoyed their rights to education and social protection as provided for in the Constitution.
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“We should address the growing issue of poverty. There is need for the stakeholders to fight against child labour,” read the statement.
The International Labour Organisation launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus on eliminating of child labour.
Each year on June 12, governments, employers, workers’ organisations, civil society and millions of people from around the world come together to highlight the plight of child labourers and explore ways to help them.
This year’s theme is No to Child Labour. Yes, to Quality Education.
