Attention to control child labor in Hai Duong

Adults are not fully aware

Since the summer break, on the 2 weekends, NVN, born in 2008, living in Binh Han Ward (Hai Duong City) has been working part-time at the walking street and Bach Dang night market. N. said she works from 4pm to 11pm. Her main job is to serve drinks to customers, then clean tables and wash cups and dishes. The work is not too hard, but the hours are long and it lasts at night, so sometimes she feels a bit tired.

It is worth mentioning that this is not the first time N. has worked part-time. During the summer break last year, N. applied for a part-time job at a coffee shop in the city. According to N., her parents are very supportive of her working part-time. During the long summer break, if she did not work part-time, she would not know what to do other than watch TV and play video games. In addition, working part-time also helps her earn a significant amount of income to prepare for the new school year, while also gaining experience to be independent in the future.

Children in rural areas, especially in places with craft villages, often participate in household chores during the summer. D.TT (10 years old, in Kinh Mon) often helps his parents prepare onions and garlic. He is very good at sorting, drying, and cleaning onions to help his parents. In Kinh Mon, not only T. but many children often help their parents with such tasks.

Mr. Vu Hong Quan, Head of the Department of Child Protection, Care and Gender Equality (Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs) said that currently, many people do not know exactly how illegal the use of child labor is. Many families doing business and trading still mobilize children to participate without knowing that it is a violation of child labor. This makes the control and management of child labor difficult.

Strengthen inspection

In Hai Duong, there are currently no official statistics on child labor violations. However, in reality, child labor violations still occur. Typically, in April, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Duong province decided to administratively fine an individual in Duc Xuong commune (Gia Loc) 62.5 million VND for using workers from 15 to under 18 years old to do prohibited work...

Nationwide, according to statistics from the Department of Children (Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs), there are currently about 1 million children under 17 years old working illegally, accounting for 5.3% of the total number of children nationwide, of which more than 500,000 children have to work in arduous, toxic and dangerous conditions. According to investigations by authorities, there are a number of occupations that use child labor such as agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, especially in small enterprises, production and business establishments, where violations of child labor are still found.

Child labor can lead to physical and mental harm. Child labor before the age of majority will lead to many consequences, affecting the comprehensive development. In many cases, children do not go to school and health care, limiting basic rights...

Fully aware of the harmful effects of child labor is the responsibility of each family and the whole society. In recent times, our Party and State have had many policies to protect and care for children. However, in the face of child labor violations, according to Mr. Vu Hong Quan, functional sectors need to step up propaganda so that adults are more fully aware of child labor. Especially distinguishing between child labor and child labor. Child labor is work that children are allowed to do at their age according to regulations. Child labor is light work in the style of "young age doing small work", mainly to help them adapt to life, create joy and independence for them, most importantly, work that is not prohibited by law.

In addition, the authorities need to strengthen inspections, especially in the above mentioned occupations and fields that are prone to child labor violations. Thereby, promptly detecting and preventing child labor violations. At the same time, paying attention to developing useful playgrounds for children is also a worthwhile thing to do.

President Ho Chi Minh said: “Children are like buds on a branch/ Knowing how to eat, sleep, and study is good”. That is Uncle Ho’s love for children but at the same time it is also a message for each of us to be aware and responsible in caring for children. Therefore, violations against children need to be condemned and eliminated, helping them to ensure a living environment and comprehensive development.