Group calls for end to ‘exploitative, harmful’ work for children

By Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin, 13 Jun 2020

Believing that every child has an inherent and inviolable right to health and survival, a child rights group called for an end to child labor to give children the chance to thrive and develop to their fullest potential.

On the World Day against Child Labor observed every June 12, Save the Children (SCP) Philippines calls for end to exploitative and harmful work for children. “No child should be engaged in harmful work,” said SCP Chief Executive Officer Atty. Alberto Muyot.

SCP noted that there are around 2.1 million child workers aged 5-17 years old in the country as per the 2011 survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority with most of them are in hazardous and exploitative work conditions. SCP expressed concerned that figures “may have changed already and the adverse impact of COVID-19 will push thousands of children into poverty, and forced labor as parents and guardians face loss of income and livelihood opportunities.”

Muyot, who is also a former Undersecretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), said that said children who live in poverty are the first to suffer the consequences of the economic impact of the pandemic. “We believe that every child has an inherent and inviolable right to health and survival, to play and learn and to be protected from all forms of abuse and violence including exploitative work,” he stressed.

In a bid to end end to exploitative and harmful work for children, SCP is committed to partnering with the national and local governments, civil society organizations, private sector, parents and schools in finding sustainable solution to the problem in line with Article 32 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 182 on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor, and ILO Convention 138 on the Minimum Age of Employment.

SCP sad that deprived and marginalized children – including those from Indigenous People’s communities, children with disabilities, out of school children and youth, children in conflict affected areas, those living in areas prone to natural disasters, and those from low income families – are more “vulnerable to exploitation and harmful work.”

COVID-19 pandemic worsens child poverty

Meanwhile, SCP noted that children who live in poverty are the most exposed to shocks and calamities in urban settings. The situation of these children and their families, the group said, is “further aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic” as they have to stay in cramped spaces, with limited access to water, clean toilets and hygiene facilities, thus, making it difficult to comply with health protocols of frequent handwashing, and social distancing.

SCP’s Building Urban Children’s Resilience against the Shocks and Threats of Resettlement (BURST) team recently distributed relief food packages, groceries, fresh produce, and hygiene kits to children and their families who were victims of a fire in Pasay City. Aside from the relief goods, the families that are currently staying at the Pasay City North High School were also provided information on protection against COVID-19.

For BURST project manager Lou Pambid, the results of children’s consultation were processed and submitted to the local officials of Pasay City to provide guidance on policies and actions on children affected by shocks and resettlement.

Pambid said most of the children are worried about food, shelter and security because their parents and guardians have recently lost income and livelihood opportunities due to quarantine and most of them were also stressed because they were “discriminated by other neighbors.”