Comprehensive Initiatives Implemented To Tackle Child Labor Under National Strategy

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, July 27 (Petra) -- Under the National Strategy to Reduce Child labor 2022-2030, Jordan has embarked on significant initiatives to address the issue of child labor and uphold the rights of its young population.
The comprehensive strategy, officially launched earlier this year through collaborative efforts between governmental, non-governmental, and private sectors, focuses on updating and enforcing legislation, preventive and awareness programs, and fostering coordination and partnerships, while adhering to the principles of human rights, child rights, and governance.
The primary objective of the strategy is twofold: to eliminate illegal child labor and to ensure the protection of children engaged in lawful and safe work environments. According to a national survey conducted in 2016, approximately 76,000 children are currently involved in various forms of labor, with a concerning 44,000 of them performing hazardous tasks.
Demonstrating its commitment to protecting children's rights, Jordan has ratified several international agreements aimed at combating child labor. Among these agreements are the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the International Labor Organization (ILO) Conventions No. 138 and 182. Furthermore, to align with these global standards, the kingdom has enacted local laws that explicitly prohibit child labor, especially in hazardous occupations.
Addressing the complexities surrounding child labor, Mai Sultan, Director of Childhood at the National Council for Family Affairs, highlighted poverty as a significant driver of this problem. In combating child labor, education emerges as a critical tool to prevent children from dropping out of schools and entering the workforce prematurely.
Government entities have also assumed crucial roles in implementing the national strategy. The Ministry of Social Development is actively working towards mitigating all forms of begging and safeguarding the best interests of children. The ministry is dedicated to ensuring the protection and well-being of children of all ages, addressing their needs, and fulfilling its social responsibility.
Drawing on extensive expertise, a representative from the Ministry of Education emphasized the preventive measures adopted to address the issue of school dropout and child labor market entry. These measures include enhancing the classroom environment to cater to students' needs and aspirations, offering enriching extracurricular activities, and deploying educational experts to provide counseling programs. Additionally, the ministry is actively providing alternative educational opportunities, such as literacy programs and home study courses, to effectively combat child begging.
Various organizations and prominent non-governmental entities have joined hands in supporting the strategy's implementation, with collective efforts seeking to build comprehensive and well-structured programs aimed at eradicating child labor from the country systematically.

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