The Cross River State Children’s Parliament has called on the state government to urgently address the issue of child labour in the state.
Speaking under a matter of urgent public interest during the 5th Children’s Parliament and second house sitting at the State House of Assembly in Calabar, the representative of Ikom State’s Constituency, Hon. Rejoice Ndoma Agbor, representing Ikom I, maintained that child labour is a serious violation that has affected a lot of children in the state and country at large and sought his colleagues support to reverse the trend.
During the 5th Children’s Parliament session at the State House of Assembly in Calabar, Hon. Rejoice Ndoma Agbor, the representative of Ikom State’s Constituency, emphasised the urgent need to address the issue of child labour, which she described as a serious violation affecting many children in both the state and the country, calling on other colleagues to support efforts to put an end to this troubling trend.
She also defined child labour as any use of children in ways that harm their physical, mental, or educational health. This harmful treatment can involve dangerous working conditions that result in injuries, illness, or death; excessive work hours leading to physical exhaustion; feelings of shame and low self-esteem due to isolation and discrimination; a heightened risk of exploitation, abuse, and human trafficking; and the deprivation of a normal childhood.
She cited that in the Ikom local government area, the form of child labour that is prevalent is the issue of children working in cocoa farms rather than being in school.
Within this area, it is really conspicuous, as cocoa farming is upheld as the most lucrative business. These children are actually deprived of education, which is a necessity for holistic child development, putting both their present and even their future at risk.
The House, after considering the devastating reality that robs children of their childhood, dignity, and potential through the practice, called on the government to set up accessible mechanisms for monitoring and reporting any form of child labour to combat the menace.
The House also called for stiff penalties to be implemented as provided by the law against child labour, trafficking and child marriage.
The Children’s Parliamentarians urged the government as well as international organisations to tilt attention towards refugee and street children to ensure that children are protected from child labour and provided with a safe environment and opportunities to thrive.
Other issues discussed during the session included a motion raised by Hon. Egor, Okan Elias, representing Ikom II, calling for the reconstitution of the Cross River State Child Rights Law Implementation Committee to ensure strict compliance with the law, and another motion raised by Hon. Divine Victor, representing Akpabuyo, calling for the state government to enhance the education and empowerment system in the state.
Also adopted was a motion to extend maternity leave to six months in the state, as presented by Hon. Gabriel Elijah, Akpabuyo.
The House urged the state government to establish a compulsory six-month leave for all nursing mothers across all working sectors and raised the need to sensitise them on the importance of exclusive feeding to their babies.
Representative of the donor agency, Save the Children International, Mr. Omede Eyimofe Samuel, stated that Save the Children International is saddled with the responsibility of advocating for and promoting child participation in decision-making, especially in governance.
He disclosed that the organisation is the leading agency currently addressing child labour in cocoa-producing zones in Cross River and Ondo States and sues for cooperation from stakeholders.
The parliamentary session was witnessed by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Eyambem, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edoema Irom, amongst other functionaries of the 10th Assembly.
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