EU to Philippines: Penalize persons behind child labor

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union on Wednesday stressed that the Philippines' efforts to stop child labor especially in its worst forms should be coupled with stricter enforcement of laws.

"It is important that dissuasive penalties are imposed in practice on persons who subject children to work in hazardous work or exploitative conditions," EU Ambassador to the Philippines Guy Ledoux said Wednesday.

Ledoux said that while Manila has intensified its efforts to eradicate child labor especially in its worst forms, there lies a huge challenge ahead.

"There are still 5.5 million Filipino children engaged in child labor, with 3 million of them trapped in the worst forms of labor," he added.

Ledoux reiterated the EU's support for the country's fight against abusive practices as part of its commitment to the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child and International Labor Organization Conventions 182 and 138.

The EU has earmarked P165 million in grants to support children's rights projects by civil society groups.

The politico-economic block has also pushed for initiatives to reform the rule of law and backed the Philippine government's poverty alleviation efforts.

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Ledoux said that the end of child labor will occur alongside reduction of poverty.

"Child labor is clearly a consequence of pervasive poverty and the consequence of the absence of social safety nets and effective social protection," Ledoux said.

"Child labor is a function of the status of wages, of the state of agriculture and industries, of the kinds of employment opportunities, of the state of governance," he added.

The ambassador suggested that livelihood programs, for example, can be implemented in poorer communities.

"Governments are called upon to implement transformative development strategies that enable their people, especially the children, to enjoy their rights and realize their full potential," he said.