Say no to child labour
On April 4, the country will commemorate Child Labour Day, to give a clear distinction between child work, which is acceptable, and child labour.
Research indicates that of children found to be working almost 60 per cent did so in order to help their parents financially.
This clearly constitutes child labour and is, therefore, unacceptable.
Child work is defined as a child performing menial tasks such as mowing the lawn, washing dishes and generally helping in the home.
These tasks should not be exploitative, hazardous or inappropriate for the child’s age or detrimental to the child’s social, physical, mental, spiritual or moral development.
According to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, it is a criminal offence to employ a child younger than 15, except in the performing arts, with a permit from the Department of Labour.
A child aged 15 to 18 may not be employed to do work inappropriate for their age, or work that places them at risk.
