NO TO CHILD LABOR. Minister of Labor and Employment (MOLE) Datu Muslimin Sema, together with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Integrated Resource Development of Tri-People (IRDR) representatives, stand firm with the commitment to ending underage labor during the observance of World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL) on June 28, 2024, in Cotabato City. (Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Government is taking a firm stance against child labor by addressing its root cause—poverty.
Minister of Labor and Employment (MOLE) Datu Muslimin Sema reaffirmed this commitment during the World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL) celebration on Friday, June 28, here.
He emphasized the need for collective government efforts to enforce existing laws and address poverty, which he identified as a major cause of underage labor.
“We, at the MOLE, no matter how small our budget is, have allocated programs to extend assistance to identified parents, so they could work without having their children also work,”
Sema said.
Initiated in 2022, WDACL is an annual event held every June 12 to raise awareness and end unjust labor involving minors worldwide.
One of the MOLE’s key initiatives is the Bangsamoro Child Labor Sagip Program, which focuses on eliminating various forms of child labor, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.
The program also provides financial assistance to support Bangsamoro families facing economic difficulties.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration between the transitional government, stakeholders, and international organizations to combat child labor.
International agencies such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Integrated Resource Development for Tri-People (IRDT), with sponsorship from the Government of Japan, contributed to the success of Friday’s commemoration.
The Cotabato City local government unit (LGU) also emphasized that the Cotabato City Council Against Child Labor (CCCAL) will actively advocate for children’s rights and work towards eradicating child labor in the city.
Promoting self-sustaining and inclusive development for children aligns with the 12th priority agenda of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
