‘Let’s Unite to Eliminate Child Labor’- IIMSAM Mid- East Director Dr. Naseer Homoud

On the occasion of World Day against Child Labor, Dr. Naseer Homoud, Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Intergovernmental Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council said “on this day IIMSAM invites all to join us in advocating for the rights of children around the world, especially those who are being exploited in the worst forms of child labor. IIMSAM has a long history of working to stop child labor. We continue to support international conventions in addition to national and local legislation to reduce the worst forms of child labor and ensure that all workers' rights are protected”.

He maintained that tackling child labor is closely related with progress on basic education. According to the most recent estimates, 72 million primary aged children of whom more than half are girls, and 71 million children of junior secondary school age, are not enrolled in school. In addition, many children who are enrolled are not attending on a regular basis. There must be a strengthened global, national and local level commitment to ensuring education for all children to the minimum age of employment, and opportunities for those youth who have missed out on the chance of formal education.

The Goodwill Ambassador mentioned that the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals target of achieving universal primary education and eliminating gender disparity in education by 2015, which also means tackling child labor and this, he said “can only be achieved if all children, no matter the race or location to they belong, are given opportunity to access education and training opportunities; this is the only sure way to give our children the requisite skills, attitudes and experience for productive adulthood to contribute to national development”. He added “the long-term solution for eliminating child labor lies in reducing poverty, promoting access to employment, improving the quality of education and expanding access to schooling for disadvantaged groups”.

He stated “amid the global financial crisis we should not forget that the core Millennium Development Goals is somehow related to children. Almost 6 goals are directly related to welfare of children and we have to ensure that the promises which we have made to this effect are not subject to any more hurdles coming in its way”. Speaking further Dr. Homoud said “issues of children are inextricably linked with the problems that afflict our society at large- problems of gender inequality, social injustice, poverty, hunger and disease. Any society that aspires for the welfare, progress and development of mankind must first work for the well-being of its children”.

Speaking on menace of child labour which adversely affects and jeopardises the growth of children in general Dr. Homoud said that child labor is a grave human rights violation and undermines efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education, let alone others. “The fight against child labor should be a core commitment of every state’s human rights agenda and needs to be tackled at all levels and through concerted efforts from governments, industry and the international community”, said Dr. Homoud. Speaking further he said, IIMSAM propose for a comprehensive approach to the elimination of all forms of child labor with an emphasis on free and universal primary education. Therefore, IIMSAM urges all stakeholders to ratify and implement the relevant ILO Conventions on child labor forthwith. “As we celebrate the Universal Children Day I implore all adults to do something for some child in the community where they live. Let us not do it on one day only but let us help our children by making a commitment to do something good for them every day”, said Dr. Homoud.