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Report about the PLF/WAWO National Seminar on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour
On the occasion of the World Day against Child Labour one day National Seminar organized by the Pakistan Labour Federation (PLF) with the collaboration of World Asian Workers Organization (WAWO) on 12th June at Hotel Ambassador Lahore.
Mian Muhammad Ayub Advisor to Prime Minster was the Chief Guest More than 0ne hundred Trade Union Representative including 30 women’s were participated
Haji Muhammad Saeed Arian Founder/Secretary General PLF/WAWO said that the World Day Against Child Labour which reminds the world of the plight of over 215 million of girls and boys around the world who are victims of child Labour in violation of their basic human rights. Celebrated annually on 12 June, the World Day highlights the dangers and hazards faced by children who work at an early age, and action necessary to tackle child Labour. He said that The year 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour one of the most widely-ratified international Labour conventions, and it is six years ahead of the Global target of Eliminating these worst forms. Human rights enshrined in ILO Convention No. 182.He said that we ensure free and compulsory primary education would be provided . While the Global movement has achieved some progress in reducing the incidence of child Labour, efforts must be stepped up if we are to reach the overall objectives of the Global Task Force on Child Labour and “Education for All” and deliver the commitment of a world free of the worst forms of child Labour by 2016. He said that One of the most important investments for the realization of the Millennium Development Goals is in fostering skilled and dedicated Teachers. Appropriately qualified Teachers are critical for the provision of Quality Education. However, there is a shortfall of 18 million teachers in the world. Teacher compensation programmes in fragile states, situations of displacement and post-crisis recovery are crucial for guaranteeing protective education for all children. He said that the UN Convention on the Rights of Child is our guiding framework, and we believe it offers the best blueprint for Children’s empowerment and emancipation from harm and injustice
Mrs Atia saleem Chairperson said that Child Labour is a complex phenomenon which cuts across policy and market boundaries. It is clear that the persistence of child Labour is systematically undermining progress towards the attainment of MDGs for Education, HIV/AIDS and Gender equality. Child Labour is not a phenomenon that can be dealt with in isolation; it is both a cause and consequence of poverty and low levels of social protection. Evidence has shown that targeted action which simultaneously addresses the implementation and enforcement of protective legislation, provision and accessibility of public services (including free, quality compulsory education, training and non-discriminatory social protection services), and the functioning of Labour markets, yields high returns against child Labour, including its worst forms. These issues are part of the Convention No. 182 defines the worst forms of child Labour as: (a) slavery and forced Labour, including child trafficking and forced recruitment for armed conflict; (b) the use of children in prostitution and pornography; (c) illicit activities such as production and trafficking of drugs; and (d) "hazardous work" - work likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children. development debate that involves prominent Tripartite (Governments, Employers’ and Workers’ Organizations), international institutions as well as Ministries of Education, local governments and municipalities. She told the participants that The Global Conference on Child Labour organized in The Hague in May by the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, in cooperation with the ILO, highlighted the importance of leveraging the “Delivering as One” approach for child Labour elimination in the significantly intensified efforts for poverty reduction. The Conference adopted the Roadmap by acclamation on 11 May 2010. highlighting the indispensable need for action at the local level in achieving the MDG 2, formally recognizing the role of local governments as essential and instrumental partners in implementing , taking into consideration the obligation of each Member State who ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, commit to undertake concerted action to end the exploitation of children. In these times of global economic and financial crises that threaten progress made on the elimination of child Labour, it is more important than ever to promote and respect human rights values and principles and guarantee the protection of the most vulnerable children.
Waheed Ahmad Ch Advocate Legal Advisor PLF/WAWO said that Through the promotion of economic, social, cultural and vocational development based on principles of good governance, sustainability and social inclusion, and in keeping with the “Delivering as One” approach, we are also determined to deal comprehensively and effectively with impediments to access basic education. In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 12/4, we will strengthen cooperation and coordinate joint efforts to urge Member States to invest in human rights training programmes for teachers. We as Trade Unions Representative call upon Member Government to scale up their efforts and commitment to reach the target of eliminating the worst forms of child labour by 2016 as an urgent priority. He said that The World Programme was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2004 as a global initiative structured in consecutive phases, in order to advance the implementation of human rights education programmes in all sectors.
Ms Rizwana Yasmin Senior Vice President PLF and Secretary General All Pakistan Womens Employees Association said that on June 12 each year, the World Day Against Child Labour calls the world’s attention to the plight of millions of girls and boys around the world who are victims of child Labour. It highlights the dangers and hazards faced by children who work at an early age, and the action necessary to tackle child labour. She said that , the World Day marks the adoption of the landmark ILO
Convention No. 182, which calls for immediate action to abolish the worst forms of child Labour. Whilst celebrating progress made during the past eleven years, the World Day will highlight the continuing challenges, with a focus on the exploitation of girls in child labour. Around the world, an estimated 100 million girls are involved in child Labour. Many of these girls undertake similar types of work as boys, but often also endure additional hardships and face extra risks. Moreover, girls are all too often exposed to some of the worst forms of child Labour, often in hidden work situations, including those involving sexual exploitation.
Muhammad Amin Bhatthi Secretary PLF Punjab Province said that Education, especially human rights education, is one key measure to protect children, in particular girls, from exploitation. Efforts to achieve the Goals and we cannot be achieved without the progressive elimination of child Labour.
Rana Muhammad Akram Dy Secretary General read out the Message of Mr Peter A Newns President WAWO
Education for All is about providing quality basic education to all, with special attention to the most vulnerable and marginalized groups. Inclusion, however, remains a major challenge with at least millions of children not attending primary school, a number of whom are involved in child Labour. Ensuring access to quality education is one of the most powerful ways to reduce child Labour, as well as to protect health and other human rights. we Celebrated on June 12 each year, the World Day Against Child Labour calls the world’s attention to the plight of millions of girls and boys around the world who are victims of child Labour. It highlights the dangers and hazards faced by children who work at an early age, and the action necessary to tackle child Labour. According to estimates of the International Labour Organization, there are 218 million child labourers between the age of 5 and 17, of whom 126 million are performing dangerous tasks or working in conditions that are hazardous.
WAWO is practically working on the elimination of Child Labour.Hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work that deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating their rights. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child Labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced Labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict. World Day Against Child Labour as a way to highlight the plight of these children. The day, which is observed on June 12th, is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child Labour, reflected in the huge numbe of ratifications of ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child Labour and ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment. The World Day Against Child Labour provides and opportunity to gain further support of individual Governments and that of the ILO social partners, civil society and others, including schools, youth and women's groups as well as the media, in the campaign against child Labour.
Mrs Shumalia Sadiq Secretary Women Wing said that 215 million children around the world are victims of child Labour. Half of them work in situations which violate their basic rights and dignity, such as slavery, forced Labour, trafficking, debt bondage, serfdom, prostitution, pornography or recruitment for armed conflict. To mark the World, Day against Child Labour She said that PLF recognition of the linkages between eliminating child Labour and achieving the goal of quality education for all. She told the participants that PLF /WAWO free educational Institution are providing Free Education to the working Children.
Main Muhammad Ayub said that the Children’s are the future of the Nation and it is our duty to look after their basic Rights. He said that Trade unions can play vital role for the elimination of Child Labour and appreciated the efforts of PLF for the elimination on of Child Labour through Free Education Programme He announce his fully cooperation for the Elimination of Child Labour.
Malik Muhammad Yousaf Chief Organizer,Molvi Muhammad Aslam Chairman.Mrs Rohi Kasur ,Mrs Semi,Mrs Sama Gul Khan,Sh Muhammad Iqbal,Malik Muhammad Latif,Nasar Saddique,Mr Shahzad Aslam,Soahib Ahmad,and Mrs Zahada also addressed the Seminar
(Haji Muhammad Saeed Arian)
Founder/Secretary General
Pakistan Labour Federation (PLF)
website ww.plfpk.com
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