In most African countries and Nigeria inclusive, child labour and trafficking are major issues. This is because majority of the populace live in abject poverty. This segment barely can feed, and thus find every other available means to survive. Unfortunately, people that fall within this segment, have children every other year, leaving these children to fend for themselves at very early age.
Stories abound everyday about how young boys and girls are transported to major cities and even out the country by people who pose as helpers only to sell them for child labour.
Some are sold into slavery as house maids or outright prostitution, while others engage in hawking and all manner of menial jobs that are not meant for children but forced into it by the prevailing circumstances.
Incidences of rape while hawking and other anti-social behaviours, including burglary, armed robbery, begging, destitution and many others are also common in this unwholesome practice.
Last Saturday, a young boy hawking sachet water popularly called ‘pure water’ along the Ijora Road in Lagos was knocked down by reckless motorist while selling his product. Unfortunately, the boy, was said to have bled to death. It was said that he did not get help from other motorists, as they sped off until the poor boy finally passed on after losing so much blood.
Eyewitness said it was a sorrowful and bitter experience, one that particularly called for sober reflection on the part of everyone and the government.
Everyday, untold stories of similar incidents abound in the state. Yet, many parents and guardians send their wards daily to the expressways and other major roads in the name of hawking. Many of them of school age adorn the main roads and streets while their peers are in school.
There was a case of woman who was said to have subjected her house maid (nine year-old) to all manner of jobs; including waking up as early as 4a.m. to start the menial chores and was not allowed to go to bed until as late as midnight because she worked in a restaurant as well as the house. Meanwhile she had told the parents of the child in the village that she wanted to send her to school.
Some others are extricated from their communities and sold out to the ready market of human traffickers on allegations of witchcraft.
Last Sunday, June 12, 2011 was declared World Day Against Child Labour and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) proposed its theme as: “Hazardous Child Labour”.
According to ILP, hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work that usually deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating their rights. “Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict,” the body said.
Former Special Adviser on Youth and Social Development in Lagos State, Dolapo Badru stressed that since the state had passed the Child Right Act, efforts were being made towards its effective implementation. He noted the Act was aimed at giving every child opportunity to attain his or her God-given potential.
Observers have canvassed for the passage of the bill in all states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to address the challenge.
ILO launched the first World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 as a way to highlight the plight of these children. The day, which is observed on June 12th, is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour, reflected in the huge number of ratifications of ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour and ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment.
“The World Day Against Child Labour provides and opportunity to gain further support of individual governments and that of the ILO social partners, civil society and others, including schools, youth and women’s groups as well as the media, in the campaign against child labour.”
Jun152011