Global Campaign Against Child Labour in Domestic Work
Transcription
Global Campaign Against Child Labour in Domestic Work
Global Campaign Against Child Labour in Domestic Work With the ever-swelling middle class across the globe, children's engagement in domestic work is at an all-time high amidst demand for cheap labour. As per global statistics, a total of 17.2 million children in the age group of 5-17 years are in domestic work. Out of this, 11.5 million children are engaged in child labour, with 7.5 million children being girls. While child labour in domestic work is a growing and pervasive phenomenon, it is difficult to tackle. Addressing child labour in domestic work is challenging as it remains largely invisible. Child exploitation usually takes place in private homes hidden from public view, falling beyond the scope of regulation and inspection; cultural acceptance and social attitude regard domestic work as “safe” and often a form of apprenticeship for girls. The lack and inadequacy of legal interventions further complicates efforts to tackle the issue. With the support of ILO-IPEC, Global March started a project “Global Advocacy Campaign for Elimination of Child Labour in Domestic Work and Protection of Child Domestic Workers” in January 2013, with the prime aim of pushing for the ratification of ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers. The Campaign, FREE: Free from Exploitation for Education was global in nature with focussed action in 3 countries, i.e., Indonesia, Panama and Togo entailing research, awareness raising, advocacy and capacity building activities. The countries were identified keeping in mind the geographical spread of the campaign and given that these countries were also representative of their respective regions with respect to the situation of children in domestic work. The campaign activities were carried out by Global March partners JARAK (Indonesia), IDEMI (Panama) and WAO-Afrique (Togo) in their respective regions. Main Focus of Activities: Sensitising different stakeholders including local/national bodies, government, universities, churches and trade unions of women workers. Jun’13- Conference on World Day Against Child Labour A full day video conference event organised with civil society representatives from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Spain; adolescents from 4 provinces of Colón, Panamá, Coclé and Veraguas that form an integral component of the Movement called “Voice of childhood and youth”. Declaration on education signed by children and adolescents along with charter of demands was delivered to the Ministry of Labour in support of ratification of Convention 189. Oct’13- International Day of Girl Child Inter-institutional forum organised by IDEMI with CONAMU, INAMU, CETTIPAT and SENNIAF, attended by 134 strategically important representatives across the country, highlighted the issue of exploitation of girls and children in domestic work. Feb’14- Workshop Organised on violence and child labour in domestic work with the communal authorities of Mata, families of children and group of young domestic workers in Veraguas. Mar’14- Sensitisation Activities Capacity building exercises organised for representatives of National Movement of Women, National Council of Workers. Sensitisation workshops for directors of Panama East provinces, church leaders of Panama and media professionals on conditions of children in domestic work, their vulnerabilities with respect to their rights and Convention 189; Collaborated with 50 NGOs to develop an agenda for the fulfilment of rights of the child, later agreed upon and signed by 6 presidential candidates. WAO- AFRIQUE works to promote and protect children's rights, in particular removal of children from exploitative situations along with their rehabilitation and reintegration. Main Focus of Activities: To promote the protection of child domestic workers who have reached minimum age for work in Togo. INDONESIA children and adolescents. TOGO PANAMA IDEMI works for the rights of women, JARAK is a network of national NGOs promoting the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. Main Focus of Activities: Advocacy and legislative lobbying for ratification of Convention 189 and clearance of the Bill on Protection of Domestic Workers. Jun’13- Awareness Campaign on World Day Against Child Labour Organised by JARAK with ILO Jakarta and JALA-PRT on child labour in domestic work under the theme “No to child labour in domestic work”; sensitised high ranking officials from ILO, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Trade Union Confederation, members of JARAK network and others. May’13- Engaging Child Domestic Workers (CDWs) on Labour Day A picnic of CDWs was organised, wherein for the first time, CDWs of Lomé, Kpalimé and Sokodé met in Lomé to share experiences and advocate for ratification of Convention 189. Nov’13- Demonstration before Parliament Organised by JARAK and JALA-PRT before the Parliament Building, followed by hearing with Legislative Bodies of Parliament to demand for the enactment of Domestic Workers Bill and ratification of Convention 189. Jun'13- World Day Against Child Labour Under the theme "No to child labour in domestic work", WAO-Afrique with Ministry of Social Action and National Solidarity, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, and their partners organised mass mobilisation activities for promoting child rights with different religious groups in Lomé. About 5,000 people participated directly in these activities, indirectly impacting more than 1,500,000 people. Feb’14- Public Discussion Organised by Ministry of Manpower and ILO on ratification of Convention 189 with participants from related ministries, unions, NGOs (including JARAK), international organisations, media, etc. July’13- Sub-Regional Workshop for Ratification of Convention 189 2 day Sub-Regional Workshop organised on the reflection of strategies to be implemented for the ratification of Convention 189 in Lomé, attended by civil society actors from Togo, Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. Dec'13- International Day of Human Rights Advocacy and community mobilisation carried out in Lomé and Adomi-Abra by children and youth to raise awareness on Convention 189. Dec'13- Press Conference by Child Domestic Workers Urgent appeal made to Parliament and the Togolese government for the ratification of Convention 189; participants included Advisory Committee of Child Domestic Workers, Association of Working Children and Youth of Togo- Lomé section, Domestic Workers Trade Union. Jun'14- World Day Against Child Labour Working session with children and youth clubs including presentations and discussion on the theme of “Let's eliminate child labour in extending social protection”, followed by suggestions for protection of young domestic workers. May’14- Rally on International Labour Day Organised by JARAK, JALA-PRT and others before Presidential Palace, urging the President to enact Domestic Workers’ Bill and honour his commitment of ratifying Convention 189. Followed by visit to the Governor's house of Jakarta to lobby for the regulation of domestic workers and prevention of child labour in this sector. Aug & Sep’14- Community Meetings Organised in Pasar Minggu & Jambul Community (South Jakarta) and Depok City (West Java) to raise awareness on the issue of child labour in domestic work, focussed on prevention of entry of children into domestic work, trafficking, community watch system and the role of domestic workers' organisations. Situational analysis of child labour in domestic work Capacity building activities in campaign countries All 3 respective country partners carried out detailed situational analyses by compiling documentary evidence and conducting interviews with civil society organisations, trade unions, concerned officials from statutory authorities, employers of child domestic workers and in some cases from the children themselves. IDEMI, JARAK and WAO-Afrique in their respective regions organised trainings/workshops on child labour in domestic work for enhancing capacity of stakeholders (NGOs, trade unions, governments, etc.) involved in addressing the issue. In Panama information was also collected from the girls, children and adolescent workers studying in the night schools of Veraguas. In Togo the report of the field study was approved at a sub-regional workshop held in Lomé. These workshops improved participants’ understanding of the child labour situation in their respective countries and highlighted the importance of using advocacy as a tool to address the same. Resources Key resources developed under the campaign: Ÿ Web-based platform: A sub-site on child labour in domestic work was developed to support the Campaign, for awareness raising, sharing updates and resource materials on the issue. Ÿ Campaign Materials: Various campaign related materials like posters, flyers, stickers, etc. were developed and disseminated amongst partners. These were used as important tools in raising awareness during various activities organised by partners globally. These were made available in English, French, Spanish, and Bahasa. Ÿ Resource Manual on Tackling Child Labour and Protecting Young Workers in Domestic Work: A comprehensive user- friendly resource manual designed to serve as reference material for capacity building activities of NGOs and civil society for enhanced action and advocacy on children's engagement in domestic work. Ÿ Compilation of good practices document on child labour in domestic work: A compilation of 10 good practices from the work of Global March partners and members, in the area of child labour in domestic work in Africa, Asia and Latin America. These practices serve as successful examples for all stakeholders involved to learn from, adopt or replicate in their advocacy efforts. Key Activity Highlights in Rest of the World Ÿ Feb'13 - Joint letters to Labour Ministers on Convention 189: Global March and Human Rights Watch in collaboration with 8 other international organisations sent letters to labour ministers across c134 countries to push for ratification of the Convention. Ÿ Jun'13 - World Day Against Child Labour: Under the theme of “No to Child Labour in Domestic Work”, Global March partners organised focussed events in Costa Rica, DR Congo, Morocco, India, Bangladesh, USA, Canada, Peru, covering mass awareness and mobilising support for ratification of Convention 189. Ÿ Nov'13 - Awareness Conference in Pakistan: GODH Pakistan with the support of Global March, organised an awareness conference on the issue of child labour in domestic work, attended by representatives from governments departments, civil society and others, including 2 Parliamentarians. Ÿ Jan'14 - Appeal for Action: Global March, in its protest against the atrocities on children in domestic work in Pakistan, submitted a letter to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Pakistan, urging the government to take urgent action against the perpetrators of child labour. To mobilise public opinion on the incident an online petition campaign was also launched. Ÿ Jun'14 - World Day 2014: Supported through Global March, partners in Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Pakistan and Peru organised awareness and advocacy activities on child labour in domestic work. Activities ranged from radio debate, panel discussion, skit, media mobilisation, door-to-door awareness drive and virtual campaign. Some Lessons Learnt Way Forward Ÿ Advocacy on child labour in domestic work must include the voices and participation of children in domestic work. In order to further accelerate action and efforts for tackling child labour in domestic work, it is thus important to : Ÿ Non-traditional organisations such as religious/faith organisations have a key role to play in raising mass awareness on the detrimental effects of child labour and the importance of education. Ÿ Build capacity of civil society organisations and/or non-traditional actors for advocacy to end child labour in domestic work. Ÿ Develop a repertoire of knowledge tools including evidence-based researches on child labour in domestic work for policy advocacy and capacity building of civil society organisations for effective ground actions and interventions. Ÿ Advocacy on child labour in domestic work and ratification of Convention 189 is effective when it is carried out in collaboration with trade unions/networks of domestic workers. Global March Against Child Labour (Foundation): Kneuterdijk 8, 2514 EN, The Hague, Netherlands Global March International Secretariat: L-6, Kalkaji, New Delhi-110 019, India Tel: +91 11 4921 1111 Fax: +91 11 4921 1138 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.globalmarch.org