Pretoria – Government says significant progress has been made to reduce child labour and that social security for children has been increased.
“Legislation to address child labour has also been strengthened substantially and social grants were increased,” said the Labour Department’s Deputy Director General, Les Kettledas.
Speaking on behalf of the Labour Minister at the National Day against Child Labour conference in Mpumalanga on Thursday, Kettledas said the Constitution was the cornerstone of protecting children’s rights.
“The number of children involved in child labour seems to have fallen over the years,” he said, adding that the number of children affected still remained unacceptably high at an estimated 821 000.
“It is heartening to report that government and its partners have performed well in the areas of strengthening legislation, raising awareness, training and the development of materials as evidenced in the second phase report adopted by Cabinet in September 2012,” he said.
Kettledas said some of the legislation included the proposed amendments in the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill that will strengthen the prohibition of child labour in the informal trading sector.
He said all role players needed to continue with campaigns to inform children and their parents of their rights. – SAnews.gov.za
