• Pope calls for stronger action against 'modern slavery'
AT the end of this year, there could be as many as 11 million children working in homes, on the streets and other nondescript settings as child labourers, a new report of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) revealed Wednesday.
The report, released to mark the World Day Against Child Labour, said that no fewer than 10.5 million children were currently working as domestic labourers worldwide. The ILO also interpreted the scenario of the under-aged working as "beasts of burden" in the world today, as reminder to global citizens of the deplorable days of slavery.
And denouncing the growing plague of child-labour Wednesday, Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, in a swift condemnation of the trend, urged concerted global action against the scourge, which he described as "deplorable" exploitation of children in domestic work. He called on the international community to take greater action against the phenomenon.
In a message from the Vatican to mark the World Day Against Child Labour, the Pope spoke against the "slavery" of child labour, which he said, was on the rise in poor countries and affected young girls in particular.
"There are millions of minors, mostly young girls, who are victims of this form of hidden exploitation which often includes intercourseual abuse, poor treatment and discrimination," the Telegraph quoted the Pope as saying.
Addressing about 60,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square for his weekly audience, Francis called for "ever more effective measures to fight this plague," which he said, was "a deplorable phenomenon constantly on the increase."
He added: "All children should be able to play, study, pray and grow in their own families, in a harmonious environment, one of love and serenity. It is their right and our duty. Woe betides those who stifle the joyous impulse of hope."
According to the ILO, "many work in conditions that are sometimes verging on slavery." The report is raising much concern because it suggests that 6.5 million of the total number of forced child-labourers are found to be aged between five and 14 years while over 71 per cent are girls.
The report further said that many are subjected to physical and intercourseual violence, just as others are sent into work to supplement the family's income or pay off debts, yet they are often denied access to education.
Calling for new international regulations, the ILO further added that domestic child-labour remained largely hidden and difficult to regulate. The report maintained: "The child is working but is not considered a worker, and though the child lives in a family setting, she or he is not treated like a family member."
Commenting on the new report, ILO Director of International Programme, Constance Thomas, noted in a statement made available to The Guardian yesterday that, "domestic workers of all ages are increasingly performing a vital task in many economies.
"We need a robust legal framework to clearly identify, prevent and eliminate child-labour in domestic work and provide decent working conditions for adolescents when they can legally work."
The Guardian