UNICEF; the International Labour Organization (ILO); Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); Save the Children have urged collective commitment to end the “worst” forms of child labour in Jordan by 2025.
A report by UNICEF and ILO issued on the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour shows that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, nine million children are at risk of being sucked into child labour by the end of 2022.
A simulation model shows this number could rise to 46 million if the children don’t have access to social protection programmes.
Frida Khan, ILO’s Country Coordinator in Jordan, said: “2021 has been declared as the ‘International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour.’ In Jordan, we will continue to work closely with our partners to find durable solutions that support children and members of their families at risk of child labour…
“In recent years, ILO and UNICEF have strengthened coordination on the field-level, particularly in the agriculture sector, where a considerable number of Jordanian and Syrian child labourers are found.”
The report points to a significant global rise in the number of children aged 5 to 17 years in hazardous work environments has risen by 6.5 million since 2016 as of the writing of the report.
“The consequences of the worst forms of child labour are shocking. They undermine children’s physical, mental and psychosocial well-being, as well as jeopardizes their lives and futures,” said Tanya Chapuisat, who represents UNICEF in Jordan.
In Jordan, and as the COVID-19 pandemic further deepens the child labour issue, UNICEF and Save the Children will jointly implement the “Work: No Child’s Business” programme. The programme is aimed at protecting children from child labour.
“Save The Children Jordan believes that every child has the right to thrive and develop to their fullest potential…” Said Diala al-Khamra, Save the Children’s Chief Executive Officer in Jordan.
The support to the “Work: No Child’s Business” programme is part of the Government of the Netherlands’ commitment to invest in combating child labour. This programme contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, to end all forms of child labour by the end of 2025.
Source: Jordan News Agency