On July 22, 2023, the celebration of the International Day Against Child Labor took place in Morondava, in the Menabe region of Madagascar. The event was chaired by Ministry of Labor of Employment of the Public Service of Social Laws, RIVOTIANA Jean Bosco, in representation of the ILO (International Labor Organization), Mr. Coffi Agossou Director Country Office for Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles.
The objective of this day was to raise awareness among residents and workers of the Menabe region of the rights and benefits of children, as well as their responsibilities and obligations. A campaign has been carried out to inform people about the fight against child labor, both in the informal sector and in the formal sector, according to the Ministry of Labor Employment of the Public Service of Social Laws, Rivotiana Jean Bosco. The celebration began with an event at Beach Soccer Morondava, where a call was made not to use children in labour.
Mr. Coffi Agossou of the ILO underlined the importance of the protection of children at work during his speech: The theme of this day of fight against child labor was “Social justice for everyone will end child labor” (“SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR JIABY PEOPLE, STOP CHILD LABOR”). It is estimated that there are approximately 160 million children worldwide involved in child labor. In Madagascar, this phenomenon mainly exists in several sectors such as vanilla, agriculture, fishing, the tourism sector, the hotel industry and even in the region of Menabe in the pedicab sector.
The ILO has confirmed that poverty should not justify the use of child labour. The key message is that all children have the right to a life free from mean or violent acts. They have the right to go to school and learn. The ILO therefore calls on all partners, including government, workers, employers and financial partners such as the World Bank, UNICEF and UNDP, to join the global coalition for social justice and fight together against the scourge of child labour.
In the afternoon, a workshop was organized to examine the establishment of the CRLTE (Regional Committee for the Fight against Child Labor) in the region of Menabe. In addition, a campaign of cooperation with tourism operators has been launched to encourage the signing of the Code of Conduct against the sexual exploitation of children in the context of travel and tourism (SEEVT). The celebration also included a visit to the Akany Fifaliania Center, an establishment that welcomes children withdrawn from work.
Gifts were given to the children thanks to the contribution of partners, including the ILO, UNICEF, PACT, EcPAt, the National Council for the Fight against Child Labor, the Ministry of Population (MPPSPF), Tourism, Mines. ECPAT (End child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children for sexual purposes) France.
Tackling child labor is essential not only to protect the rights of children, but also to foster sustainable development by creating an environment where businesses can thrive while providing decent jobs for the parents of these children.
Andry Rakotonirainy
