Action to eliminate worst forms of child labour by 2016
Labour and Labour Relations Ministry Secretary Upali Wijayaweera
informed the tripartite National Steering Committee on Child Labour, on
February 25, that the Ministry had earmarked about a third of its budget
allocation of its decent work country program under the Ministry,
towards implementation of the Roadmap to eliminate the worst forms of
child labour by 2016.
The funds will be used to train duty bearers, raise awareness and
promote behavioural change amongst communities vulnerable to the worst
forms of child labour.
Wijayaweera said the National Steering Committee, which was at the
level of the department, has now been elevated as part of the Ministry.
A Secretariat has been established to support the Committee in its
primary task of guiding and monitoring progress against the Roadmap 2016
on the WFCL. The Roadmap had been developed by the Ministry with support
from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and in consultation
with the members of the Committee, including representatives of
employers organizations and trade unions, members of civil society and
multi-sectoral line ministries and government agencies. It was endorsed
by Labour Minister Gamini Lokuge and members of the Committee and
stakeholders at a Conference held in Colombo in June last year.
ILO South Asia child labour senior specialist Sherin Khan, commended
the Ministry on the action that had been taken to achieve its goal of no
worst forms of child labour by 2016, which also was a global goal
endorsed by ILO member States.
Presenting the strategies outlined in the Roadmap, Khan said Sri
Lanka was well-positioned to achieve the goal.
The Labour Secretary asked the agencies present at the NSC on
February 25 to urgently appoint focal points on child labour to
facilitate coordination for the implementation of the Roadmap.
Amongst key government agencies present were the Ministries of
Plantation Industries, Social Services, Youth Affairs and Skills
Development, Agriculture, Fisheries, Planning, Justice and the National
Child Protection Authority.
Commissioner-General Pearl Weerasinghe indicated that Sri Lanka is in
a better position than many other South Asian countries in terms of the
incidence of child labour and hence the target is an achievable one.
The Secretary urged the cooperation of all stakeholders to work
towards this goal in partnership with the tripartite constituents of the
ILO and civil society.
The Committee welcomed the initiation of action and pledged to
support implementation, starting with their existing programs. |