The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for policies to bridge the economic inequality gap to address the increasing rate of child labour globally.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the call on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the ongoing 111th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Mr Ajaero was reacting to the address delivered by the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Gilbert Houngbo, as the organisation marked Child Labour Day on June 12.
The NLC President said the issue of child labour was a global phenomenon and not peculiar to Nigeria alone.
However, he admitted that the degree and the dimension vary from country to country, state to state and from time to time.
He emphasised that the issue prevailed in Nigeria due to its poverty rate, making children family breadwinners.
“I equally try to say that in a country where you have about 133 million people who are multi-dimensionally poor, it will be difficult for you to give them a pass mark on the issue of child labour,” he said.
Mr Ajaero said some factors mitigating the issue of child labour in Nigeria include parents not working and some state governments not paying minimum wage.
“Children will go out to the street, some to hawk, some to work, especially in the construction industries, where child labour is prevalent. In such a situation, even if you come up with legislation to outlaw child labour, and you are not doing anything to bridge the income inequality or the poverty level in the country, it will not have any effect in a country that is ravaged by militancy and by kidnappers,” added Mr Ajaero.
On the apprenticeship issue, which the ILO also discussed at this year’s conference, Mr Ajaero said each county must develop unique laws with acceptable remuneration and a conversion timeline for the apprentice.
Using the South-East as an example, the NLC President said apprenticeship is as old as life in that area, adding that it is an unwritten agreement that has worked for the people. (NAN)
I equally try to say that in a country where you have about 133 million people who are multi-dimensionally poor, it will be difficult for you to give them a pass mark on the issue of child labour.
