NSO survey shows increase in number of child workers

CEBU, Philippines - The country now has 5.59 million Filipino child workers based on the recently-released survey on Children and Child Labor from the National Statistics Office.

Trade Union Congress Party (TUCP Party-List) Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza is alarmed over the increasing rate of child labor incidence.

He said it has a serious and harmful impact on the lives of these child workers and consequently, the future of our society.

TUCP expressed deep concern over the latest survey on the increasing incidence of child labor in the country where majority are now engaged in the most hazardous working conditions.

This number is higher than the 2001 NSO report where there are some 4 million child workers.

According to Mendoza, this report should serve as a reminder to the government and all the stakeholders to double their efforts, fast track their interventions and come up with effective measures to deter the growing incidence of child labor in the country.

Mendoza said TUCP, which is the largest trade union organization in the country, has been campaigning for the elimination of child labor in the country for decades.

He pointed out the need for concerted efforts and effective coordination among key agencies towards crafting coherent policies and efficient delivery of basic services to achieve a child labor-free Philippines.

He further said that TUCP agree with the suggestion of the International Labor Organization (ILO) to have a periodic monitoring of the child labor incident rates to ably measure the effectiveness of program intervention by the Philippine government.

He added that the Departments of Labor and Social Work, along with the NSO, come out with an annual survey.  (FREEMAN)