The capacity of the team making up the Child Labour Unit in the Ministry of Labour’s
capacity was increased and training was provided to stakeholders. In addition, the
capacity of Local Councils was strengthened to develop and implement bye-laws
dealing with child labour. Support was provided by the Technical Committee to
Local Councils such as the Freetown City Council (FCC) and its partners to develop
and implement The Freetown City Council Employment of Children Byelaws, 2010
which regulate the employment of children at a local level and assign roles and
responsibilities in line with the Child Rights Act.
The Technical Committee also provided support at a local level for role players to
sensitize the public about the dangers of involving children in hazardous labour
at the expense of their education.
Through two targeted programmes aimed at the prevention and the removal
of children from child labour and reintegration into communities and schools
benefited approximately 200 children.
422.
Whilst the rate of child labour has remained consistent, through the TACKLE project
and related initiatives, the GoSL succeeded in increasing the number of children
involved in child labour who continued to attend school. Between 2005 and 2010 there
was an increase in school attendance for children involved in child labour from 50 to
76 percent (Statistics Sierra Leone, 2006) (Statistics Sierra Leone and UNICEF, 2011).
423.
Many of the past initiatives, such as TACKLE, were however projects with a limited
life span. The Ministry of Labour is, through its Child Labour Unit and in collaboration
with the MSWGCA, developing a National Action Plan for the Elimination of the
Worst Forms of Child Labour 2013-2017. The plan establishes a framework for
sustained multi-sectoral action by government departments, civil society and other
role players to prevent and protect children against the most common and harmful
forms of child labour, including in the areas of agriculture, mining, child prostitution,
domestic services and children’s involvement in urban and informal economies. A
draft plan was developed in 2012 which has since been revised, taking into account
recent research, including the National Child Labour Survey. The plan will shortly
be approved by partners and then will be ready for implementation.
424.
In moving forward, the GoSL will, working with the support of partners such as
UNICEF and the ILO:
Amend
the labour laws to align with the Child Rights Act provisions regarding
minimum ages of, and protection against child labour.
Assess the drivers and impact of child labour and migration on children’s rights
to education, health, social welfare and protection, especially in the alluvial and
large scale mines.
Develop minimum standards and protocols for the extractive industry to mitigate
the impact of child labour on children.
Generate socio-economic opportunities for vulnerable communities, including
life skills and livelihoods provision through adolescent clubs.
Strengthen the child protection structures mandated and/or established by the
Child Rights Act such as the Local Councils and Child Welfare Committees to
specifically identify and respond to cases of child labour.
Continue to advocate at a community level about the dangers of the worst forms
of child labour and empower communities, through the CWCs, Local Councils,
NGOs and government officials to address the issue.
9. Special Protection Measures
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