Joining hands to prevent and reduce child labor

To effectively prevent and reduce child labor, it requires the cooperation of ministries and branches as well as raising awareness of the whole society.

The inclusion of the indicator on the rate of people aged 5-17 participating in the labor force in national statistical indicators is evidence of Vietnam's strong commitment to eliminating child labor in accordance with international commitments. (Source: baodantoc.vn)

To complete the 8.7 initiative to contribute to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 and move towards eliminating child labor in all its forms by 2025, of which Vietnam is one of the 15 pioneering countries in Asia, continuous and long-term efforts are needed from many sides, including the Government, ministries, departments, sectors, communities, families and the children themselves.

According to Mr. Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department of Children, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), implementing the tasks and solutions assigned by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 782/QD-TTg dated May 27, 2021 approving the Program on prevention and reduction of illegal child labor for the period 2021-2025, with a vision to 2030, the MOLISA has coordinated with ministries and branches to deploy a number of specific measures:

One is to raise awareness about preventing and reducing child labor. Specifically, organizing policy advocacy workshops, events, and communication campaigns on the occasion of the annual World Day against Child Labor, forums on international commitments related to the prevention and elimination of child labor; policy dialogues, national forums on child labor and enterprises annually focusing on eliminating child labor in the supply chain, especially in the agricultural supply chain in the context of international integration, focusing on vocational education solutions; training to raise awareness, understanding and writing skills, reporting on child labor issues for press and media agencies; composing songs on preventing child labor; drawing pictures on preventing child abuse, preventing child labor...

Notably, in 2022, as one of the pioneering countries in implementing target 8.7, the Vietnamese Interdisciplinary Delegation attended the 10th International Conference on the Elimination of Child Labor in Durban, South Africa. At the Conference, the Vietnamese Delegation shared Vietnam's experiences and efforts in preventing and reducing child labor; attended discussion sessions, especially the discussion session on Education and Prevention of Child Labor; contributed ideas and participated in commitments on eliminating child labor.

Second, improving capacity on preventing and reducing child labor. In recent times, Vietnamese ministries and sectors have jointly developed documents and guidelines on the prevention and reduction of child labor, especially on how to identify child labor; Child labor support and intervention procedures; and developed documents to improve capacity for tripartite partners: relevant sectors and levels, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.

In particular, the Ministry of Education and Training has developed a document "Prevention and reduction of child labor through schools for managers, teachers and staff of preschool and general education institutions" to be able to specify prevention solutions suitable to practical conditions in localities and schools regarding the prevention and reduction of child labor through schools.

Workshop on Prevention and Reduction of Illegal Child Labor in 2024 on June 11, in Hanoi. (Source: Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs)

Third, strengthen the monitoring, supervision and evaluation system on child labor. The Law on Statistics was amended on November 12, 2021 to suit the context of Vietnam's socio-economic development and SDG implementation. The list of statistical indicators has been amended with 58 new indicators added, including many indicators on education and child care. The amended list reflects the requirements for statistics to facilitate the promotion of Vietnam's socio-economic development in line with the SDGs and the global 2030 Agenda.

In particular, the inclusion of the indicator on the rate of people aged 5-17 participating in the labor force in national statistical indicators is evidence of Vietnam's strong commitment to eliminating child labor in accordance with international commitments. This indicator will be surveyed every 5 years according to the National Statistical Survey Program.

Fourth, strengthen inspection and examination work. The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has issued an official dispatch guiding inspection work on child abuse prevention and control, including guidance on content, procedures, and inspection of the implementation of legal regulations on underage workers in the informal economic sector; at the same time, organize training courses for provincial inspectors on this content.

Fifth, implement a model of intervention to prevent and remove children from child labor in some localities (Hanoi, An Giang, Ho Chi Minh City). Specifically, establish a network of systems to monitor and supervise beneficiaries in the locality; support education and career counseling services for child laborers and children at risk of becoming child laborers in conjunction with the implementation of the "Understanding Business" curriculum; support children aged 14-17 to access vocational skills training courses and vocational training associated with improving employment prospects, etc.

Sixth, strengthen inter-sectoral coordination in preventing and reducing child labor. On January 25, 2024, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Public Security, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance and VCCI signed the Coordination Regulation on preventing and reducing illegal child labor for the period 2024-2025, with a vision to 2030.

Based on this Coordination Regulation, currently 20 localities have issued coordination plans between local Departments/official dispatches of the Provincial People's Committee assigning Departments to carry out work to prevent and reduce labor in the locality.

Seventh , deploy processes and networks to prevent, detect, support, and intervene in child labor and children at risk of becoming child labor.

However, there are still some shortcomings in preventing and reducing child labor. Child labor in the informal sector is difficult to control and detect. The impact of epidemics, natural disasters, and climate change has weakened economic conditions, threatened the livelihoods of households, disrupted supply chains, caused unemployment, and families lost their economic pillars when someone died; the emergence of online fraud and enticement has increased the risk of children and minors becoming child laborers, being trafficked and exploited. Children in remote areas without access to education and social security services are at risk of becoming child laborers.

Therefore, in the coming time, Vietnam needs to strengthen its overall strength to improve its capacity to prevent and reduce child labor, continue to pioneer and play a leading role in implementing the United Nations' sustainable development goal 8.7 on eliminating child labor in the region and globally.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bai-2-chung-suc-hanh-dong-phong-ngua-va-giam-thieu-lao-dong-tre-em-289709.html