THE opening of the World Cup in South Africa today, Friday, has caught the International Labor Organization (ILO) as it celebrates the World’s Day Against Child Labor on June 12.
“While billions are caught up in the excitement of the football World Cup, some 215 million children are working for survival,” said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia, appealing to kick against child labor to finally eliminate it by 2016.
The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) joined in the celebration through an event held in Tondo, Manila is in partnership with the Philippine Miracle Team and the Don Bosco Youth Center.
Child workers in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces performed a football exhibition match and a parade of colors with the theme “Go for the Goal: End Child Labor”.
Every June 12, the World Day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people to highlight the plight of child workers.
According to the ILO, various events are to be held in more than 60 countries to join the “Red Card campaign against child labor”.
These includes the publication of a resource kit produced in collaboration with Football International Federation Association (FIFA) and aimed at using football to support work in child labor elimination projects.
Based on ILO data, more than 215 million children worldwide are still in child labor, only seven million less than in 2004. Around 115 million of these are even subjected to its worst forms.
There has also been an alarming 20 percent increase in child labor in the 15-17 age group, the ILO noted.
Although there is a decrease in the Asian-Pacific region, the situation in Sub-Saharan Africa remains to be alarming.
In the Philippines, the 2001 survey showed that child workers totaled to 4.18 million. Since the data needs to reflect recent numbers, the ILO – International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEL) will be sponsoring an updated survey next year. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
