Protect the children

THE Public Servants Association (PSA) that represents more than 240 000 public-sector employees pledged the union’s support for the Department of Labour’s plans to eliminate child labour in South Africa.

On National Day Against Child Labour, on August 17, Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant announced plans aimed at eliminating child labour under the theme “Let me be a child – a future without child labour”.

PSA general manager Ivan Fredericks said: “The PSA has, through its social responsibility initiatives, invested in projects that seek to ensure children are provided with support systems for their education in the hope that they will grow up to be equipped adults who will contribute positively to the economy of South Africa. The Survey of Activities of Young People (SAYP) showed that of the 1.12 million South African children between the ages of 7 and 17, 577 000 were involved in child labour in 2015. These are children of school-going age who should be focused on their education and be supported to build better future for themselves. What is more appalling to the PSA is that according to the Survey, about 81 000 of the children involved in child labour appeared to be doing work prohibited by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act… ”

The PSA called upon all stakeholders in society to work together to protect the dignity of children.