Over 430,000 Zambian children engaged in child labour

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The 2020 Child Labour Report has revealed that a total number of 430, 074 children are engaged in child labour in Zambia, representing a proportion of 6.9 percent.

According to the report by the Zambia Statistics Agency, there are more girls than boys involved in child labour.

Labour and Social Security Minister Brenda Tambatamba is concerned with the involvement of children in hazardous work such as stone crushing,lifting heavy loads,animal herding, and street hawking acts that are detrimental to their well-being.

Speaking at the launch and dissemination of the 2022 labor force survey report and 2020 Child Labour Report, Ms. Tembatamba says government has strengthened legislation on the protection of children through the enactment of the children’s code act of 2022.

She adds that through the provision of free education, there has been a marked increase in school enrollment which will help reduce exposure to child labour.
                 
And Ms. Tembatemba is concerned with the levels of unemployment, particularly, youth unemployment which has persistently remained high.

The Minister says government has put in place robust well calculated measures aimed at creating jobs and opportunities such as constituency development fund, youth empowerment fund, citizens’ economic empowerment fund and the agricultural credit window under the public service microfinance company.
                     
Speaking at the same event, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions President Blake Mulala has called on government to carry out an audit to establish how many local jobs are in the hands of unskilled expatriates.

And International Labour Organization Country Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, Wellington Chibebe is calling on government to support greater social justice and step up the fight against child labour.

Mr. Chibebe is worried that for the first time in 20 years, child labour is on the rise.

He has urged government to take stringent measures towards reducing child labour and elimination of worst forms of child labour as enshrined in the national action plan 2020 to 2025.
                      
Meanwhile Zambia Federation of Employers Executive Director Harrington Chibanda says the report must help those who are involved in policy formulation in deciding whether the country is doing well in addressing child labour as well as unemployment levels.
                   

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