That is the statement of Acting Head of the Social Policy and Administration Department of UNICEF Vietnam Nguyen Thi Thanh An, through the Forum "Preventing and minimizing child labor, protecting and improving young workers' skills" organized by the General Director of the Department of Social Policy and Administration of UNICEF Vietnam. Vietnam Confederation of Labor and UNICEF recently coordinated in Binh Dinh on August 24.
Attending the forum were Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor Thai Thu Xuong; Member of the Presidium, Head of the Women's Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor Do Hong Van and more than 300 officials, union members and workers.
Vulnerable subjects
The world still has about 160 million children participating in economic activities, of which nearly 50% are in Asia-Pacific.
In Vietnam, according to 2018 survey results, 5.5% of children aged 5 - 17 years old (ie 1.03 million children) are child laborers. Many of them work in dangerous conditions. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Anh - child protection expert of UNICEF Vietnam - analyzed: "84% of Vietnamese child laborers are concentrated in rural areas; More than half of them belong to the agriculture - forestry - fishery sector. Child labor doing heavy, hazardous, and dangerous work often occurs in industry and construction. 40% of children in this group have to work more than 40 hours/week."
COVID-19 undermines community progress. Already hurt groups are even more hurt, and children are the most "fragile" group. Preventing and combating child labor is therefore even more urgent.
Regarding underage workers, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh An acknowledged: "Vietnam possesses a dynamic young labor force. With the development of new technology and market changes, young workers need to be equipped with adaptive skills."
Confirming that there have been great strides in practice, the representative of UNICEF Vietnam also said: “Many young people are still facing dangerous and abusive working conditions, including exposure to toxic chemicals. , long working hours, physical and mental stress".
Ms. Thanh An emphasized: "There needs to be comprehensive action to address the deep, multi-dimensional causes; participation of the Government, private enterprises, and social organizations. The ultimate goal is that every child must be able to live, learn and develop in a safe and healthy environment."
Trade unions and workers join hands
The forum took place in a vibrant and exciting atmosphere. More than 300 union members, workers, and laborers eagerly participated in multiple-choice situations and exchanges related to social and legal knowledge on children's rights; about basic provisions of child labor law; identify child labor abuse; How to receive, process information, notify and denounce acts of child abuse; counseling and psychological therapy; connect child protection intervention services; Support and vocational skills training for young workers...
Head of the Women's Workers Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor Do Hong Van affirmed: "Caring for and protecting children is a task that the Trade Union takes very seriously. Every year, trade unions at all levels carry out tens of thousands of propaganda campaigns, instructing workers on parenting skills, nutritional care, and supporting poor children to overcome difficulties, children in difficult circumstances, and suffering from serious diseases. .. helps workers stabilize their lives and work with peace of mind.
The union also focuses on vocational skills training , ensuring labor safety and hygiene for young workers; Strengthen supervision so that children have the opportunity to work in a safe environment, in accordance with the law, to avoid turning from legal to illegal work.
Ms. Van called for: "To form such an environment, together with the Trade Union, everyone present here must actively join hands. Through you, we want your relatives and friends to be fully informed to change and raise awareness."
