Yangon, June (15)
The number of child laborers has increased rapidly due to the crisis and poverty under the military regime, and there is an urgent need to solve this problem, the activists against child labour told Than Lwin Times.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) announced on June 12 that that over one million children in Myanmar are trapped in child labour, with over half of them involved in hazardous work that directly endangers their health, safety, and moral development.
According to the ILO, Myanmar’s current social, economic, and political crises have significantly increased the number of families turning to child labor, with children from the poorest families bearing the brunt of the consequences.
Therefore, the ILO warned that concerted actions are needed to address the root causes of child labor, ensure social justice for all working children and their families, and take urgent action for the abolition of child labour.
According to an activist involved in addressing children’s issues, the difficulties of child labour have escalated significantly since the coup, and children’s development has decreased. He added, “Child labour is on the rise in construction sites, factories, stores, and tea shops. Children suffer from underpayment, working overtime, and receiving less wages”.
According to the ILO, over one million Myanmar children aged 5 to 17 are enslaved in child labor. It also stated that under military rule, children lose their fundamental right to education and are forced to work for a living.
Children are forced to work odd jobs for wages, while underage female minors are sexually abused.
According to a social worker who assists in child affairs, the majority of children have to do odd jobs because their parents are struggling in the economy, and as a result, some children’s morals are degrading.
The Ministry of Women, Youth, and Children of the National Unity Government (NUG) announced on June 6 that more than 400 children had been killed in the two years since the military coup.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), 624 children were arrested and 401 were killed during the military coup.
News – Than Lwin Times
Photo: CJ
Thanlwintimes