CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-X launches a virtual campaign in relation to the celebration of the 2020 World Day Against Child Labor anchored with the theme “COVID-19: Protect children from child labor, now more than ever!”
DOLE-X Regional Director Lawyer Joffrey M. Suyao during the third management committee meeting, said this year’s celebration focuses on the impact of the health crisis on children as a result of economic and labor market shocks affecting lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable sector of society.
Unfortunately, children are often the first to suffer pushing thousands of vulnerable children into child labor.
“Child labor remains a fundamental concern especially during crisis. We should continue to keep our children away from hazardous and worst forms of labor that harms their social and mental development, reduces their ability to enjoy childhood, and limits educational opportunities. Considering existing limitations, we make the most of technology to be able to put across our common agenda to eliminate child labor,” Suyao said.
In 2019, 13,221 children in the region were identified engaging in hazardous forms of work under farming, fishing and domestic work that have caused school drop-out. These children are now at even greater risk of combating circumstances that are even more difficult amid said pandemic.
This year, DOLE-X launches a virtual campaign entitled “Bagong Umaga, Bagong Pag-asa,” a documentary video expressing protection to children from all forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including child labor and its worst forms, as mandated by the Republic Act 9231.
Facts and figures indicated in the video are the results of the 2018-2019 profiling of child laborers conducted by DOLE-X in Northern Mindanao.
The virtual campaign is in partnership with ChildFund Phils and Kaanib Foundation to be released June 12 with a strong statement, “In Northern Mindanao, we stand against child labor!” (DOLE10/PIA10)