The unfortunate increasing trend of child labour is not only
a local (States and Federations) challenge but also a global concern hence the
International Labour organization, ILO has begun actions to tame the trend, reports ITRealms.
Records has it that, 541 million young workers (15-24 years
old) - which includes 37 million children work in hazardous places. Child
labour is also said to account for more than 15 per cent of the world’s labour
force and suffer up to a 40 per cent higher rate of non-fatal occupational
injuries than adult workers older than 25.
This global ugly trend in addition to the campaigns of Sustainable
Development Goal (SDG) target 8.8 on safe and secure working environments for
all workers by 2030, and SDG target 8.7 of ending all forms of child labour by
2025, prompted ILO to bring together; the World Day for Safety and Health at
Work (SafeDay), and the World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) in a joint
campaign for the 2018 SafeDay, to improve the safety and health of young
workers and end child labour under the common theme: eliminating child labour and promoting a
culture of preventive occupational safety health (OSH).
In different countries and nation states this theme is
discussed and various actions taken in accordance to their specific child
labour implications.
In Nigeria, and probably the entire sub Saharan Africa, child
labour is said to be at its worse hence the, Nigeria Safety & Security,
NSAS Awards and Lecture, annually used by Safety&SecurityWatch magazine to
commemorate the ILO Day of Safety and Health at work, dedicated its 2018
edition to Child Labour in Nigeria.
Two incisive presentations on the theme were delivered; one
by a profound aviation safety professional, Engr. Godwin Anokwa, who heaped
blame of the aberration seen as child labour on poverty, lack, ignorance,
culture and other associated reasons.
On his part, the second speaker and moderator of the
Discussion that followed the presentations, a rounded safety professional,
Engr. Badmos Jamiu, argued how the children, most of who are their families
bread winners would be put off working considering the level of poverty and
hunger ion the land. He maintains that child labour may not be eradicated as it
were in the Nigerian context for the above reason, he therefore appeals to
employers of these children to create a conducive work environment that can
mitigate the hazards associated with under-aged workers to enable them work
safer.
It was indeed a very touchy topic that aside the panel of
discussants drawn from teachers, lawyers, employers of labour and child based government
and non-governmental organizations, almost everyone in attendance had something
to say or an experience to share.
In her contribution, the managing editor of Safety&SecurityWatch
magazine, organizers of NSAS Awards and Lecture series, Dr. Amaechi Chinyere,
reminded the gathering that in the past, students do vacation jobs or while
waiting for JAMB to go to the University after G.C.E O’level; the common
employment was either office assistant to run menial errands or clerical
officer.
But the times have changed for the worse she continued, where employers
take advantage of the hunger on the land and these desperate young ones
particularly the industrialists who assign them to hazardous tasks ill equipped
for it - with little or no training and no personal protective equipments, PPE.
More often than not, they are engaged as casual workers as another scheme to pay
them pittance for their hard labour.
Dr. Amaechi therefore appeals to employers of labour to in
addition to the provision of an ennobling working conditions; to also give
these children age appropriate engagements as well as train and equip them
adequately for the task so assigned.
The event also featured film clips on child abuse and child
labour as parents were advised to give birth to the number of children they can
cater for rather than engage their less fortunate children in child labour.
High point of the
event was the presentation of Awards and medals to Awardees. The Lagos State
Governor, H.E Akinwunmi Ambode was the Safety Man of the year, the Director,
Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Mr. Modecai Danteni Baba Ladan was the
Safety Icon of the Year while Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety
Management Agency, NIMASA took home the Safety Organ of the Year Award.
Other
awardees include: Group Safety Manager MTN Mr. Fynray Mbata, former national
president Environmental Society of Nigeria Engr. Olu Andah, immediate past
director of factories Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Mrs. Nofisat
Arogundade, Dr. Ibilola Amao of Lonadek and Vision 2020, Youth empowerment
programme, Anambra State head of Fire Service Engr. Agbili Martin, and many
other worthy Nigerians who came from far and near for their recognitions.
Uj. N. Dominic/GEE
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