The Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Holy Cross Catholic
Church Gwarinpa (11), Abuja, has urged the Federal Government to enforce laws
that perpetuate child labour in the country.
The President of CWO, Mrs Ukpo Amoroban, told the newsmen in
Abuja on Sunday that the practice continue to flourish in spite of governments
good policies against it.
“Child labour has brought poor reputation to our nation
today. Our main economic problem is child labour since we began on the path of
nationhood.
“As a result of this, there has been, for the past few
years, steady drift away of young men to other countries. This has the chain
result of our society being left underdeveloped,” she said.
She said that child labour has become widespread and
occupied a preeminent position among the ills that pervade the society.
The Vice Chairperson Communication Committee of CWO, Lady
Roseline Aghabalu, who spoke on the effects of child labour, said that various
health risks were associated with child labour.
She said the possible long-term health problems may include
various cancers caused by the dangerous chemicals they work with and
respiratory disorders caused by the inhalation of dangerous things, like coal
dust.
Aghabalu said the obvious effect of child labour has already
been revealed; the lack of childhood. On her part, the Secretary of CWO, Mrs
Chizoba Ugwu said that children work for various reasons which include
poverty and a child’s need to contribute to the family’s economy.
Ugwu said that conflict and natural disasters as well as
drought could also determine whether children need to work to support their
families.
“Do you remember that time when you were a little kid and
you came home from a fun day at school, put your book bag down, and went to
play with friends outside? Then you came home, did a little bit of homework,
and had a great meal with your family before watching some TV and going to bed.
“Some kids can’t even dream of that because they don’t have a normal childhood.
They are forced,
through one circumstance or another, into foregoing such nice memories and days
because they have to work for 18 hours a day.
“They will never be able to look back, as an adult, and
reminisce about days like yours. Yes, many little kids work hours on end for
their entire childhood. That’s child labour, and it has very real effects on
children,” she said.
(NAN)
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