2007 Archived Events
Deputy Chief of Mission Richard W. Nelson Remarks at
International Day Against Child Labor
June 12, 2007
Your Excellency the Minister of Social Affairs,
Honorable members of government
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Courageous former child laborers,
I am delighted to be here to day among so many people committed to fighting child labor.
The United States is a great supporter of the ILO and the many NGOs and government agencies that work closely with the ILO to raise awareness about child labor, to prevent it where possible, and to rescue children where necessary.
Child labor is an unfortunate reality all over the world. It is imperative that we enhance our collective efforts to get children out of factories, fields and domestic labor arrangements and into school where they belong.
Getting children out of forced labor is only the first step.
At the same time, there must be a comprehensive government effort -- indeed, it is government’s responsibility -- to ensure there are schools for children to attend, to promote school attendance throughout the country, and especially in communities where girls, for example, are often kept at home.
In addition, governments need to address other issues that serve as reasons for families to keep children home from school.
In Cameroon, the need to collect water from remote wells or to care for younger children in the family are two of the primary reasons children do not attend school.
For some families, having every able family member work is an economic necessity. Unfortunately, depriving children of their education to address an immediate economic need will hurt families in the long run.
I do not want to make light of the economic problems many families face, but collectively we need to address the conditions that force families into deciding that they cannot afford to send their children to school.
I have been pleased in my travels around Cameroon to see how many communities are making a concerted effort to promote school attendance. This is important for Cameroon’s future.
We also need to do more to raise awareness about child labor and its connection to abuse and to trafficking in persons. Many children who are forced to work are mistreated by their employers in addition to being grossly underpaid, if they are paid at all.
Children, especially girls, working in domestic arrangements can be subject to sexual abuse which all too often leads to children having children. This must stop.
We are all aware of the many problems related to child labor and must work together to find lasting solutions. Part of the solution has to be tough domestic legislation outlawing child labor and other human rights abuses, and rigorous enforcement of these laws with penalties commensurate with the crime.
Those who prey on the most innocent members of our society need to understand that they will not be allowed to get away with it.
Before concluding, I want to take a moment to salute the many children, some here today, who have escaped child labor and moved on to learn new trades.
These young people have shown remarkable courage dealing with situations that no child should be confronted with. Some of them have suffered physical, psychological and sexual abuse, something that society as a whole should be ashamed of.
I want to underscore that the United States government and the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon, are committed to attacking all aspects of child labor and to working with governments, NGOs and communities to ensure that child labor quickly becomes a thing of the past.
Tomorrow at our Embassy, former child laborers who have trained to become tailors and seamstresses will display their talents at a fashion show. Many of you I know will be there, and we look forward to what will surely be a spectacular event which will show these children, in a very practical way, that there are people in all walks of life who care about them and who are committed not only to helping victims of child labor get a new start in life, but also to eradicating child labor for good.
Thank you.