THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has identified and profiled over 85,000 child laborers in the country.
In a statement on the observance of the World Day against Child Labor, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Friday, June 28, 2019, disclosed that they have already profiled 85,582 out of the estimated 2.1 million child laborers nationwide.
"Profiling of the child laborers is our strategic way of withdrawing children from child labor," said Bello.
"We must first assess their needs and refer these children and their families to appropriate agencies and organizations for the provision of necessary assistance to remove them from child labor,” he added.
So far, he said DOLE has already referred 18,651 to appropriate agencies for services and assistance.
This is on top of the livelihood assistance, in the form of Negokart and starter kits, provided to parents of child laborers to enable their families to start their livelihood, which is a preventive measure against child labor.
Also, the labor chief said that DOLE has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Industrial Tripartite Councils for the provision of skills training to former child laborers to help them land decent employment.
“Eliminating child labor calls for intensified convergence efforts from various government agencies, non-government organizations, local government units, and the communities. We must work together in advocating for a child-labor free Philippines by understanding the problem that puts our children at harm,” Bello said.
On Saturday, June 29, DOLE and its social partners are set to observe the World Day against Child Labor at the GSIS Theater in Pasay City.
The event aims to draw public attention to the issue of child labor and encourage communities to be active partners of the government in ending child labor and its worst forms. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)