Visits to South and Central America

Brazil  Chile [ Read Full Article ]  Costa-Rica  Ecuador  Peru

The Global March Against Child Labor partners networking and consultative meeting in the South American (SA) region was held in Punta de Tralca, Chile from 10 to 12 July 2003. The National Coordinators from Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, Columbia, Chile and Nicaragua were present, the latter so that he could report back to the committee in the Central American region. This meeting was requested by the International Center on Child Labor (ICCLE) to expand alliances in the region.

The SA region has been successful in ratifying ILO Conventions 182 and 138. Paraguay is the only country that has not ratified C 138 on the minimum age for work. In most countries (except Venezuela) committees, which include GM partners, have been formed to prepare plans for the implementation of C 182. Having recently ratified C 182, Columbia is just beginning this process. GM partners resolved to prepare an annual report on the status of their governments’ specific actions to implement C 182 and 138.

GM Chairperson, National Coordinators and the Executive Director of ICCLE discussed ways to strengthen the work of GM partners and collaborate closely with the Governments, ILO-IPEC, UNESCO, and the World Bank (WB). It was also emphasized to further deepen relationships with the trade unions and teachers unions. This was considered the best method to mobilize political will and financial resources for the governments committed to addressing child labor.

A comprehensive strategy for following up with the Government on the implementation of C 182 has been proposed in Paraguay. After two months GM-SA partners will converge in the streets to undertake mass education on the worst forms of child labor and the minimum age at work. In the other countries satisfaction was expressed with the collaborative efforts of the Government and the partners to prepare national action plans. This was based on the interaction with the partners, Ministers of Labor, Education and Social Assistance in Brazil, Peru and Ecuador and the meetings with the ILO- IPEC offices.

However, it was felt that some forces were active in most of the countries in the region still deeply embeded in cultural values accepting child labor under 14 years of age. Some Governments officials appeared vulnerable to this argument. It was reiterated that the preparatory process of the national action plans should fortify itself against this risk. It was also suggested that these plans should be realized quickly so that the resources required towards implementation can be sized up. The ratification of C 182 and 138 by a large number of countries has placed immense responsibility on the international community to fulfil their commitment to the children. Efforts now should be directed to overseeing the financial commitments and sustained aid flows from the rich countries to the poor governments. National Governments need to take appropriate steps to provision budgets and assess the financing gaps. This gap should be met by the industrialized world.

It was decided to intensify the participation of the children affected and sensitize public opinion on the issue of child labor to develop children’s leadership and increase community ownership of the issues. The process preceding the 2004 Children’s World Congress (WC) needs to be viewed as a tool to mobilize former child workers to fight for their rights. The WC should build a consensus that child labor perpetuates illiteracy and poverty. In countries such as Chile, Uruguay and Argentina the public does not believe that child labor exists. They view a boy juggling on street corners during midday for money as a cultural show. The myths perpetuated by the pro- child labor groups should also be countered.

As more children work for one-sixth of the adult wage, adult unemployment increases and the trade union movement and workers’ ability to negotiate for fair wages weakens. The search for cheap labor pressures employers to “hire” children, who need not bear the burden of poverty by working in dangerous situations. The speedy ratification of the C 182 and the unanimous adoption of the Dakar Framework for Action on EFA, demonstrate the unprecedented political will of national governments to rectify this situation. The governments and the international community should bear the cost of transferring these children to school.