‘Let’s Unite to Eliminate Child Labor’- IIMSAM Mid- East Director Message on the Eve of World Day Against Child Labor.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) June 11, 2011 --

On the occasion of World Day against Child Labor, Dr. Naseer Homoud, Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Intergovernmental Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council said “on this day IIMSAM invites all to join us in advocating for the rights of children around the world, especially those who are being exploited in the worst forms of child labor. IIMSAM has a long history of working to stop child labor. We continue to support international conventions in addition to national and local legislation to reduce the worst forms of child labor and ensure that all workers' rights are protected”.

The Goodwill Ambassador while commemorating the day said “a huge percentage of children work in the service sector, selling goods in streets and markets, carrying heavy loads, working in hotels and restaurants, or as domestic servants, child laborers are also employed in industries as mining and quarrying, small-scale manufacturing and construction. These are often dangerous jobs, exposing them to toxic substances and requiring physical labor often unsuitable for their undeveloped physical stature”. He added “such exploitation cannot be stopped by just one strategy. We must all work to address its root causes – including poverty, a lack of decent work for parents, weak enforcement of labor laws, and a lack of educational opportunities for children. All children, irrespective of their gender, economic or ethnic background should have the opportunity to attend school and live up to their full potential”.

He maintained that tackling child labor is closely related with progress on basic education. According to the most recent estimates, 72 million primary aged children of whom more than half are girls, and 71 million children of junior secondary school age, are not enrolled in school. In addition, many children who are enrolled are not attending on a regular basis. There must be a strengthened global, national and local level commitment to ensuring education for all children to the minimum age of employment, and opportunities for those youth who have missed out on the chance of formal education.

“IIMSAM believes that child labor is an impediment to accessing education—a basic human right. Furthermore, IIMSAM considers that it is the combined responsibility of stakeholders, governments and individuals at large to combat child labor through ensuring access to a quality education for all children and by eliminating poverty”, said Dr. Homoud. He went on to say “child labor can and will be eradicated. We have to foster the belief that child labor can be eradicated from the world and it will be- just what we need is the commitment to this global cause. Candidly speaking, there is a lack of political will in world for tackling this problem effectively. We keep saying that children are our future but the number of child laborers is still very high”. Isn’t ironical? He asked.

He urged “we have to realize the gravity of this problem; it is connected with all of us. When the children's nimble fingers scrub oil from vessels or sweep the floor, stitch in embroidery units or mould glass, and the light of hope starts fading. Strong determination, unstinting participation, a motivated political will and passion are required to tackle and eradicate this social evil”.

The Goodwill Ambassador mentioned that the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals target of achieving universal primary education and eliminating gender disparity in education by 2015, which also means tackling child labor and this, he said “can only be achieved if all children, no matter the race or location to they belong, are given opportunity to access education and training opportunities; this is the only sure way to give our children the requisite skills, attitudes and experience for productive adulthood to contribute to national development”. He added “the long-term solution for eliminating child labor lies in reducing poverty, promoting access to employment, improving the quality of education and expanding access to schooling for disadvantaged groups”.

He stated “amid the global financial crisis we should not forget that the core Millennium Development Goals is somehow related to children. Almost 6 goals are directly related to welfare of children and we have to ensure that the promises which we have made to this effect are not subject to any more hurdles coming in its way”. Speaking further Dr. Homoud said “issues of children are inextricably linked with the problems that afflict our society at large- problems of gender inequality, social injustice, poverty, hunger and disease. Any society that aspires for the welfare, progress and development of mankind must first work for the well-being of its children”.

Dr. Naseer Homoud     IIMSAM     qatar