Child labour

It is becoming too much nowadays to see children selling along our streets in the Greater Banjul Area, and at some of our border towns.

While some children are busy selling things like water, groundnuts, and other foodstuff, others are busy washing plates or doing some other form of child labour.

Some of the work of young people in this sector may be considered legitimate, but there are indications of considerable abuse of children in our society.

It is evident that some of these children are busy working for their parents or guardians at a time when they should be attending school.

We are very much concerned about the plight of these child laborers, and urge the Department of Social Welfare to take note, and take necessary action based on the laws of the country.

Meanwhile, it should be the responsibility of every parent to protect his or her own child, and give them the right guidance they deserve in life.

Good parental care is quite essential, and no parent should run away from his or her responsibilities.

The children need the love and support of their parents; it is also a duty of the parents to give the right education to their children.

Child labour threatens children’s physical, mental and emotional well-being, since it involves intolerable abuse, including child slavery, child trafficking, debt bondage, forced labor, and other illicit activities. Some people also use children to undermine labor standards, something that must be stopped.

We should not allow our children to be abused like objects.

It is common nowadays to read in our local media that children are always sexually abused or are forced to do labour that they are not fit for.

In Africa today, hardly one travels to a country without seeing children working in the streets. Some are even used as child soldiers in conflict areas.

We have to understand that children are very important assets to our lives.

So we have to do everything to protect their lives.

The media also has a crucial role to play in making sure that those who abuse children are exposed.

This would made people stop the practice.

It is high time for governments to enforce legislation already in place to protect children.