ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The United Nation’s International Labor Organization (ILO) is urging local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas to create local laws that address child labor.
“There is a serious need for local legislation,” said Philippine program officer of ILO, Jodie Mitra regarding the poor implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9231 or the Act Providing for Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor.
A 2010 labor survey conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) shows there are 2.4 million child laborers in the country. A decade ago, child laborers in the country numbered 4 million.
While Mitra noted a decrease on child labor incidence in the last 10 years, steps taken are hindered by lack of local legislation enforcing RA 9231.
Mitra emphasized the importance of sustainability in addressing the exploitation of children.
However, she expressed disappointment that only the provinces of Bukidnon, Masbate, Northern Samar, and Quezon have taken steps to craft and pass local child labor laws.
In 2001, there were 327,000 child laborers in Western Visayas with Negros Occidental registering the biggest number with 110,000, followed by Iloilo with 109,000. These child laborers are engaged in sugar industry, farming, fishing, mining, and fireworks production. Some were underaged prostitutes or domestic helpers.
Mitra encourages legislators in the province, city, and municipalities to craft their own laws to at least mitigate child exploitation.
She also emphasized the need to activate the Barangay Council for Protection of Children to address pertinent problems in the grassroots level.
The ILO’s Philippine program officer was one of the resource persons at the seminar-workshop on child protection held here last August 5. The seminar-workshop was spearheaded by the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) and the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) with the cooperation of the Iloilo Press Club and community newspaper The Daily Guardian. –TARA YAP, Manila Bulletin
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
